Suffolk Coastal Local Plan

The Coastal Local Plan (SCLP) was adopted by the District Council in September 2020. It is 568 pages long and covers such matters as the local economy, tourism, the natural environment, transport, the built and historic environment, community facilities and assets and climate change. The full plan can be accessed on the East Suffolk Council website. The Plan includes over 140 policies that cover various topics or are specific to particular locations in the district. We have identified those which are relevant to the planning process as it affects Woodbridge and have abridged them below. The Plan sets out how many new residences are required to be built in the former District in the period 2018-2036. The detail of this is shown under the heading: District Housing Requirement. This target is allocated to various communities which are ranked in a hierarchy as follows: Major Centres namely and the area in Suffolk Coastal immediately East of including Adastral Park (now known as Brightwell Lakes); Market Towns namely , , , and Woodbridge; Large Villages such as Melton, , , , and Orford; Small Villages such as , and .

Town Centre Environments

Policy SCLP 4.10 Development will encourage people to spend more time, enjoy and participate in town centres. It will do this by: a) supporting opportunities for social interaction; b) ensuring safe pedestrian access to link up with and enhance existing pavements, pedestrian spaces, routes and focal points; c) improving access for cyclists, people with limited mobility and people with other disabilities; d) enabling physical linkages so that pedestrians can move easily and safely between parts of the town centre; and

Woodbridge Society 2020 1 e) providing environmental improvements that make the most of historic environments and heritage features. The expansion of Shared Space and Dementia Friendly areas will be supported where proposals maintain active town centre frontages without compromising highway access, vehicular and pedestrian movements.

Housing Mix

Policy SCLP 5.8 Proposals for new housing developments will be expected to contribute to the housing needed for different groups in the community as identified in the Strategic Housing Market Assesssment or latest equivalent assessment. New developments should provide a mix of housing tenures, types and size appropriate to the size, characteristics and location of the site, reflecting where possible the identified need, particularly focusing on smaller dwellings (1 and 2 bedrooms). Given the significant needs for housing for older people, proposals for ten or more dwellings should demonstrate how the developments will contribute to meeting those needs.

On proposals for 10 or more non-specialist dwellings at least 50% of the residences will need to meet the requirements for accessible and adaptable dwellings. Only in exceptional circumstances would a lower percentage be accepted, and applicants would need to demonstrate that such a provision is unfeasible or unviable.

District Housing Requirement

District Councils follow a standard method of identifying their need for housing. The annual housing need in the Suffolk Coastal area is 542, resulting in a total of 9,756 in the plan period from 2018 to 2036. Jobs are forecast to grow by 15,580 in the same period. The ‘housing need’ figure includes outstanding planning permissions. It is therefore possible to calculate the residual need, ie. the number of planning permissions that need to be granted. As at the beginning of the plan period, commitments of 6,998 had been made, including 3,609 outstanding planning permissions and 2,413 dwellings with resolutions to grant planning permission, including 2,000 at Brightwell Lakes (the former Adastral Park).

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The residual requirement is 2,758 between now and 2036. A contingency figure will be added to this to allow for delays in planning permissions being acted upon. That contingency increases the required planning permissions to 4,335. Over 50% of this is planned to be in two new Garden Neighbourhoods at Felixstowe and Saxmundham.

Woodbridge Housing Requirement

Woodbridge is expected to have 556 new residences in the plan period 2018-2036. At the beginning of the plan period there were 336 permissions and resolutions to grant permission, meaning that there are 220 new housing applications required before the end of the plan period. In the Local Plan, Woodbridge includes part of Melton and Martlesham. The boundary between Melton and Woodbridge runs roughly up Pytches Road and Road. That part of Melton bounded by these roads plus Woods Lane, Melton Hill and Melton Road are included in Woodbridge for the purpose of contributing to the number of residences. Similarly that part of Martlesham which lies to the north of the railway line is included with Woodbridge. The two sites which will meet most of this requirement are the Council Offices at Melton Hill, which is partly in Melton, and Woodbridge Town Football Club’s ground, which is in Fynn Road, Martlesham but north of the railway line.

Affordable Housing on Residential Developments

Policy SCLP5.10 Proposals for residential development with capacity for ten units or more or sites of 0.5 hectares will be expected to make provision for one in three units to be affordable dwellings. Of these affordable dwellings, 50% should be for affordable rent/social rent, 25% should be for shared ownership, and 25% should be for discounted home ownership.

Provision is expected to be made on-site unless it can be demonstrated that this is not feasible, when an agreed commuted sum could be paid towards provision outside of the site. In exceptional circumstances, where the Council is satisfied that the provision of affordable housing is not viable, the requirement for affordable housing may be varied. The development for affordable housing does not apply for schemes which are solely brownfield flatted schemes. Woodbridge Society 2020 3

Parking Proposals and Standards

Policy SCLP7.2 The level of parking provision required will depend on the location, type and intensity of use. Proposals involving vehicle parking will be supported where they take opportunities to make efficient use of land and they include: a) the provision of safe, secure, and convenient off-street parking of an appropriate size and quantity including addressing the need for parking or secure storage for cars, cycles and motorcycles and, where relevant, coaches and lorries; b) opportunities to reduce the recognised problem of anti-social parking or potential problems that may arise which impact the quality of life or vitality of an area for residents and visitors; c) appropriate provision for vehicle charging points; d) the incorporation of sustainable drainage systems, permeable surfacing materials and means of protecting water quality. Proposals will be expected to have regard to the parking standards contained in the Suffolk Guidance for Parking, excluding the elements of the Guidance related to ‘Residential Parking Design’, unless local planning considerations indicate otherwise. Proposals should also accord with East Suffolk Parking Plan and the Suffolk Parking Management Strategy.

Residential Caravans & Mobile Homes

Policy SCLP 5.16 As a residential use, the principle of development of permanent residential caravans and mobile homes will be considered under the relevant policy for housing.

Proposals will be supported where: a) they are designed and sited in a way which does not result in a harmful impact on the landscape or on the character of a settlement; b) amenity space is provided on site; c) safe access and space for vehicle manoeuvring can be achieved within the site.

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Extensions to Residential Curtilages

Policy SCLP 5.14

Extensions to residential curtilages will be permitted where: a) the resulting size of the curtilage reflects the scale and location of the dwelling; b) they do not result in the removal of an existing hedgerow of native species unless replaced by a similar hedgerow; c) they do not have a harmful result on the historic environment, landscape or character of the area, including as a result of developments ancillary to the residential use; and d) the proposed boundary feature of the extended curtilage is of a form which reflects it location and the character of the area. In granting planning consent for the extension of residential curtilages, the Council will consider the removal of Permitted Development rights.

Permitted Development Rights

Not all changes to a property require planning permission. Those that are allowed are called permitted development rights. This means small extensions, defined as no more than a percentage of the existing property, do not require planning permission. Often, once an extension is built, the property will not have further permitted development rights. Planning officers will confirm whether an extension qualifies as a permitted development.

Conservation Areas

Policy SCLP 11.5 Development within, or which has potential to affect the setting of, Conservation Areas will be assessed against the relevant Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans and any subsequent additions or alterations. Developments should be of particularly high standard of design and high quality of materials in order to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the area.

Proposals for development within a Conservation Area should: a) demonstrate a clear understanding of the significance of the conservation area alongside an assessment of the potential impact of the proposal on that significance; Woodbridge Society 2020 5 b) preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area; c) be of an appropriate design, scale, form, height, massing and position; d) retain features important to settlement form and pattern such as open spaces, plot divisions, positions of dwellings, hierarchy of routes, hierarchy of buildings and their uses, boundary treatments and gardens; and e) use high quality materials and methods of construction which complement the character of the area. Proposals for development which affect the setting of a Conservation Area should be considered against criteria a), c), and e) above.

Proposals which involve the demolition of non-listed buildings that make a positive contribution to Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans will be expected to demonstrate that: f) the building is structurally unsound and beyond technically feasible and economical repair (for reasons other than deliberate damage or neglect); g) all measures to sustain the existing use or find an alternative use/user have been exhausted. In all cases, proposals for demolition should include comprehensive and detailed plans for redevelopment of the site.

Design Quality

Policy SCLP 11.1 The Council will support locally distinctive and high quality design.

Permission will be granted where proposals: a) demonstrate a clear understanding of the character of the built environment, historic and natural environment; b) respond to local context and the form of surrounding buildings in relation to the following: i. the overall scale and character should demonstrate consideration of the component parts of the buildings and the development as a whole in relation to its surroundings;

ii. the layout should fit with the existing neighbourhood layout; iii. the height and massing of developments should be well related to that of their surroundings;

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iv. there should be a clear relationship between buildings and spaces and the wider street scene or townscape; and

v. the use of high quality appropriate materials; d) take account of any important landscape or topographical features; e) protect the amenity of the wider environment; h) provide highway layouts with well integrated car parking and landscaping; i) include hard and soft landscaping; j) ensure that the layout and design incorporate adequate provision and storage of waste and recycling bins.

(Abridged. Not all sections or paragraphs included.)

Former Council Offices, Melton Hill

Policy SCLP 12.32 1.33 hectares of land at the Former Council Offices, Melton Hill, is allocated for a residential-led mixed use development of approximately 100 dwellings. Development will be expected to be an exemplar, high quality design, and comply with the following criteria: a) provision of a mix of units including a predominance of flatted dwellings, including affordable housing on-site; b) design, layout and height of buildings to be appropriate to the site’s location in proximity to heritage assets and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; c) provision of a high standard of sustainable design; d) provision of open space with opportunities for all ages; e) a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment will be required; f) project level Habitats Regulations Assessment will be required; g) evidence is required to demonstrate there is adequate Water Recycling Centre capacity or that capacity can be made available; h) measures to promote non-car modes of travel; and i) confirmation of adequate capacity in the foul sewerage network or action to upgrade to create the required capacity. The provision of small scale community and A3 uses will be supported where they do not have a significant impact on the town centre. Woodbridge Society 2020 7

Historic Environment

Policy SCLP 11.3 The Council will work with partners and the community to conserve and enhance the historic environment and to ensure where possible development makes a positive environment. The policies of the national Planning Policy Framework will be applied in respect of designated and non-designated heritage assets. All developments proposals which have the potential to impact on heritage assets should be a Heritage Assessment and/or an Archaeological Assessment prepared by an individual with relevant expertise. Pre-application consultation with the Council is encouraged to ensure the scope and detail of a Heritage Impact Assessment or Archaeological Assessment is sufficient. The level of detail of a Heritage Impact Assessment should be proportionate to the scheme proposed and the number and significance of the heritage assets affected.

Land at Woodbridge Town Football Club

Policy SCLP 12.33 4.16 hectares of land at Woodbridge Town Club is allocated for approximately 120 dwellings associated with the relocation of the football club. Development will only be supported as part of a proposal which would establish replacement facilities for the football club. Development on the site allocated under this policy will be expected to comply with the following criteria: a) provision of a mix of housing including housing suitable to meet the needs of the elderly population and including affordable housing; b) design, layout and height of buildings appropriate to the site’s location adjacent to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; c) retention and strengthening of the existing landscaping and trees on the perimeter of the site; d) provision of open space providing opportunities for all ages; e) an archaeological assessment will be required; f) a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment will be required; g) a project level Habitats Regulations Assessment will be required; h) provision of a robust package of sustainable transport measures which promote connectivity with the town;

Woodbridge Society 2020 8 i) access to be provided via Fynn Road. Proposals for the relocation of the football club will be expected to comply with the following criteria: a) the football club to be replaced in a way which provides equivalent or better provision in quantitative and qualitative terms; b) the replacement facility must be brought fully into use in advance of the loss of any existing facilities to ensure the continuity of provision unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated and an appropriate timescale securing the delivery of the replacement is proposed and agreed with the Council; c) an appropriate highways access should be provided; d) the site must be in a suitable location to meet the needs of users of the site and accessible to the community by non-car modes of transport; e) there should be no unacceptable impact on the amenity of any adjoining residential uses in terms of noise and light pollution; f) an appropriate landscape mitigation scheme should be provided if necessary; g) the new facility should be operated to equivalent or better accessibility and management arrangements.

Listed Buildings

Policy SCLP 11.4

Proposals to alter, extend or change the use of a listed building (including curtilage listed structures) or development affecting its setting will be supported where they: a) demonstrate a clear understanding of the significance of the building and its setting alongside an assessment of the potential impact of the proposal on that significance; b) do not harm the character of the building or any architectural, artistic, or historical or archaeological features that contribute towards its special interest; c) are of an appropriate design, scale, form, height, massing and position which complement the existing building; d) use high quality materials and methods of construction which complement the character of the building; e) retain the historic internal layout of the building; and f) remove existing features that detract from the building to enhance or better reveal its significance.

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Landscape Character

Policy SCLP 10.4 Development proposals will be expected to demonstrate their location, scale, form, design and materials will protect and enhance: a) the special qualities and features of the area; b) the visual relationship and environment around settlements and their landscape settings; c) distinctive landscape elements; d) visually sensitive skylines, seascapes, river valleys and significant views towards key landscapes and cultural features; and e) the growing network of green infrastructure. Development will not be permitted where it will have a significant adverse effect on rural river valleys, historic parks and gardens, coastal and/or estuary heathland and other very sensitive landscapes. Development will not be permitted where it will have a significant adverse effect on the beauty and special qualities of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that cannot be adequately mitigated.

(Significantly abridged)

Non-Designated Heritage Assets Policy SCLP 11.6

Proposals for the re-use of Non-Designated Heritage Assets which are buildings or structures will be supported if compatible with the elements of the fabric and setting or structure which contribute to its significance. Applications, including those for a change of use, which result in harm to the significance of a Non- Designated Heritage Asset will be judged based on the balance of the scale of any harm or loss, and the significance of the heritage asset.

In considering proposals which involve the loss of a non-designated heritage asset, consideration will be given to: a) whether the asset is structurally unsound and beyond technically feasible and economically viable repair (for reasons other than deliberate damage or neglect); or b) which measures to sustain the existing use, or find an alternative use/user, have been fully investigated. Woodbridge Society 2020 10

Neighbourhood Plans can identify Non-Designated Heritage Assets. However, the protection afforded to these should be no more than that provided to Non- Designated Heritage Assets protected by this policy. Buildings or structures identified as Non-Designated Heritage Assets should at least meet the Council’s criteria for identifying Non-Designated Heritage Assets.

Open Space

Policy SCLP 8.2 The Council supports the provision of open space and recreational space and their continued management. New residential development will be expected to contribute the provision of open space and recreational facilities. There will be a presumption against any development that involves the loss of open space or community sport and recreation facilities.

(Abridged)

Parks and Gardens of Historic or Landscape Interest

Policy SCLP 11.8 Within the plan area, seven parks are included in the national Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest compiled by Historic and have the status of Designated Heritage Assets. One of these is Woodbridge Cemetery which is Grade II listed. (Abridged)

Residential Amenity

Policy SCLP 11.2 When considering the impact of development on residential amenity, the Council will have regard to the following: a) privacy/overlooking; b) outlook; c) access to daylight and sunlight;

Woodbridge Society 2020 11 d) noise and disturbance; e) the resulting physical relationship with other properties; f) light spillage; g) air quality and other forms of pollution; and h) safety and security. Development will provide for adequate living conditions for future occupiers and will not cause an unacceptable loss of amenity for existing or future occupiers of development in the vicinity.

Residential Annexes

Policy SCLP 5.13 An annex to an existing dwelling will be supported where a) the annex is smaller in scale and clearly ancillary to the host dwelling; b) the proposal does not involve the physical separation of the residential curtilage; c) no separate access is required; d) the annex is either an extension or is well related to the host dwelling; e) in the case of a new build annex, it is not feasible to create the annex through an extension or the conversion of an outbuilding; f) there is sufficient off-road parking; g) there is no significant adverse effect on the landscape or visual amenity. Conditions or planning obligations will be applied to limit occupation to use as an annex and to prevent future use as a separate dwelling. Where an annex is proposed as an extension, it should be designed in a way which will enable it to be incorporated into the host dwelling when no longer required. (Abridged)

Settlement Coalescence

Policy SCLP 10.5 Development of undeveloped land and intensification of developed land between settlements will only be permitted where it does not add to the coalescence of

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Strategy for Woodbridge

Policy SCLP 12.31 The strategy for Woodbridge is to balance opportunities with the acknowledged physical and environmental constraints in order to maintain and enhance its role as a market town, an employment centre and a tourist destination. Opportunities to enhance the historic environment and the riverside character area of the town will be supported where they bring economic and social benefits which do not have a significant adverse impact on the environmental designations. Allocations for residential use are identified to facilitate and guide the redevelopment of sites in the town. Additional residential development will be expected to come forward on sites within the Settlement Boundary, consisting of infill or small scale redevelopments which make the appropriate use of previously developed land. On land between the railway and the , proposals for development will only be supported where they are for B1 business use, marine related business or leisure/tourism uses and where they are of a scale appropriate to the character of the area.

The strategy therefore is to consolidate a town that: a) retains the special quality of the built environment including Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings and the character of the riverside and estuary and Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB; b) retains the A12 as a firm edge to the town; c) enhances the links between the town centre and the riverside; d) enhances the town centre through the retention of national and independent shopping opportunities; e) actively manages traffic and visitors to the town and surrounding areas through the use of appropriate traffic management, suitable car parking and signage; f) promotes improvements to air quality; g) supports the further provision of open space and recreational facilities to meet the needs of the town over the plan period.

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Interesting Statistics for Woodbridge

These figures are taken from the District Council’s Local Plan. 1. 66% of the population are economically active. 2. Just under 3,000 people commute into Woodbridge while about 1,600 residents commute out of Woodbridge. 3. There are 3,912 homes in Woodbridge, of which 37.7% are one person households. The average number of persons per household is 2.1. 4. 21.8% of households have no car. 5. There are 338 listed buildings in the town, more than any other town in the district.

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