Analysis of the Responses to Issues and Options Consultation for the Suffolk Coastal Local Plan Review Analysis of the Responses to the Issues and Options Consultation Consultation Period: 18th August to 30th October 2017 July 2018 1 Analysis of the Responses to Issues and Options Consultation for the Suffolk Coastal Local Plan Review Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Consultation and Publicity Summary ...................................................................................................... 4 Key Issues ................................................................................................................................................ 7 What is the vision for the Ipswich HMA and Ipswich FEA?..................................................................... 7 A – How much growth? The number of homes and jobs that should be planned for ......................... 10 B - Where should the growth go? ......................................................................................................... 14 C - The provision of retail and leisure development ............................................................................. 19 D – Infrastructure .................................................................................................................................. 23 Vision ..................................................................................................................................................... 28 Housing ................................................................................................................................................. 31 Business and Industry ........................................................................................................................... 42 Town Centres, Retail and Commercial Leisure ..................................................................................... 47 Tourism ................................................................................................................................................. 52 Vehicle Parking ...................................................................................................................................... 58 Community Facilities ............................................................................................................................. 60 Healthy Communities............................................................................................................................ 63 Climate Change ..................................................................................................................................... 69 Design .................................................................................................................................................... 76 Heritage ................................................................................................................................................. 84 Landscape ............................................................................................................................................. 87 Biodiversity and Geodiversity ............................................................................................................... 90 Other ..................................................................................................................................................... 95 Summaries of comments received in relation to sites (in parish order) .............................................. 97 2 Analysis of the Responses to Issues and Options Consultation for the Suffolk Coastal Local Plan Review Introduction This document provides an analysis of the response to the Issues and Options consultation which was published in August for a period of 10 weeks. The document explains how the Council has taken responses to the consultation into account when preparing the First Draft Local Plan. The Issues and Options consultation marked the first stage of consultation on the new Local Plan for Suffolk Coastal and invited comments from statutory local plan consultees, parish and town councils, other local and national organisations with an interest in planning and developments, landowners and developers and members of the public. The consultation took place between 18th August and 30th October 2017. In total 642 individuals and organisations responded to the consultation. Between them they made 6,893 comments. 5,989 comments were made on the questions in the consultation document, with a further 904 comments made on the potential sites for development which were also part of the consultation. Full copies of the responses can be viewed on the Councils interactive consultation software at: http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/local-plans/suffolk-coastal-local-plan/online-consultations/ The Council has read and considered every comment received. Due to the general nature of the questions in the Issues and Options consultation and the number of comments received it has not been possible to respond directly to each individual comment. This document summarises the responses to each question and details how the Council took those comments into account when formulating the strategy, policies and proposals in the First Draft Local Plan. The document also summarises the comments made on potential site options together with summaries of the site assessments undertaken by the Council which have helped inform which sites to include in the First Draft Local Plan. 3 Analysis of the Responses to Issues and Options Consultation for the Suffolk Coastal Local Plan Review Consultation and Publicity Summary The consultation ran from 18th August until 30th October 2017. Details are provided below as to how the Council promoted and publicised the consultation during that period. Public exhibitions A series of public exhibtions held across the district to provide opportunity for the Issues and Options document to be discussed and considered by interested persons. Drop in sessions were held at the locations below, with officers available to discuss the consultation. Venue Date and Time Yoxford Village Hall (Main Hall) Monday 11th September Old High Road, Yoxford, IP17 3HN 16.00-19.30 Tower Hall Thursday 14th September 5 Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew, Ipswich IP4 5SU 16.00-19.30 Felixstowe Town Hall (Council Chamber) Monday 18th September Undercliff Rd W, Felixstowe IP11 2AG 16.00-19.30 Suffolk Coastal District Council (Deben Room) Tuesday 26th September East Suffolk House, Station Road, Melton, IP12 1RT 16.00-19.30 Wenhaston Village Hall Wednesday 27th September Narrow Way, Wenhaston, Halesworth IP19 9DP 16.00-19.30 nd Kirton Recreation Ground (The Pavilion) Monday 2 October 12 Alley Rd, Kirton, Ipswich IP10 0NN 16.00-19.30 Riverside Centre Wednesday 11th October 6 Great Glemham Rd, Stratford St Andrew, IP17 1LL 16.00-19.30 Meetings for Town/Parish Councils A series of meetings were arranged with Town/Parish Councils during the consultation to discuss local issues, ambitions for growth and respond to questions. These were provided on a 1-2-1 basis with members of Town/Parish Councils meeting with officers. All meetings were held at East Suffolk House. In total 57 meetings were held during the consultation. Tuesday 19th September 10.00 – 17.00 (7 sessions available); Wednesday 20th September 10.00 – 17.00 (7 sessions available); Monday 25th September 12.00 – 17.00 (5 sessions available); 4 Analysis of the Responses to Issues and Options Consultation for the Suffolk Coastal Local Plan Review Thursday 28th September 12.00 – 17.00 (5 sessions available); Friday 29th September 12.00 – 17.00 (5 sessions available); Tuesday 3rd October 12.00 – 17.00 (5 sessions available); Thursday 5th October 10.00 – 13.00 (3 sessions available); Tuesday 10th October 10.00 – 17.00 (7 sessions available); Monday 16th October 10.00 – 17.00 (7 sessions available); Wednesday 18th October 10.00 – 17.00 (7 sessions available); Media and publicity During the consultation, the Council made use of the local press, social media and other forms of communication to promote the consultation. Media Details Suffolk Coastal Coastline Magazine Article published in June 2017, highlighting the upcoming consultation and providing details as to how interested persons register their interest ahead of the consultation. Press release Published by Suffolk Coastal on Friday 18th August. East Suffolk Website Consultation document and supporting information published on the website from 18th August 2017. Links to interactive consultation software also provided to encourage online responses. Contact details for the Planning Policy & Delivery Team also made available. Social media Consultation published on Suffolk Coastal Social Media accounts throughout the consultation: Facebook: Consultation promoted Boosted posts throughout the consultation targeted at men and women 18-40 years of age and within 40 miles of Woodbridge. Posts on Facebook reached 3,637 people. Twitter: Regular posts throughout the consultation, to promote drop in sessions and issues within the document Shared by District Councillors and Chief Executive accounts during the consultation. Consultation leaflets Provided to all Town and Parish Councils 5 Analysis of the Responses to Issues and Options Consultation for the Suffolk Coastal Local Plan Review (many requests