Development Plans

Councillors appointed to this committee are:

Mr Brome (Chairman), Miss Bear, Messrs Blundell, Denton, Forbes, Kelso, Thompson. Mr Irwin and Mr Welch are ex-officio members of this committee because of their role as Council Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively. As such they have the same rights and status as other members of the committee.

Planning issues are dealt with by Suffolk Coastal District Council (SCDC) who are the planning authority

This means anybody submitting a planning application has it dealt with by SCDC case officer, however if it is a major application it will also go to a planning development committee which has District Councillors as members. On some occassions the planning authority may be Suffolk County Council for plans directly affecting this authority.

So, if SCDC makes the decisions, what value does the Parish Council add?

The Parish Council is consulted in the same way as near neighbours and others likely to be affected by the planning applications. Our view has the same weighting as any other consultee (which is why we always recommend that parishioners submit comments individually.) Your submissions are as influential, if not more so, than those submitted by the Parish Council.

So why do we spend time and effort having a Development Plans Committee?

1. The committee, taking your views into account, can work with SCDC to produce a plan for the Parish to help guide planning policy
2. We try to make sure that Parishioners are aware of major planning applications
3. We usually have copies of plans to view at the Parish Council offices
4. Committee members have local knowledge and can make useful comments in terms of style, appropriate materials, spot any overlooking or traffic issues, and generally help ensure that development that does take place is better suited to our Parish
5. The Parish Council can assist Parishioners in understanding the planning process and valid reasons for objections
6. The Committee has good grass roots knowledge on what is permitted development and what isn't. It can try to work with the enforcement team on gross infringements of planning regulations

These reasons for having a committee are tested by the current enthusiasm for major development at Martlesham. There is a great deal to review in relation to the many developments being proposed for Martlesham.