West Suffolk Council planning policy consultations

Due to an upgraded planning policy consultation system and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) legislation we are no longer able to directly consult with you unless you have ‘opted in’ to planning topic(s).

You can update your details by logging in to your account at https://westsuffolk.oc2.uk/login  and selecting the topic(s) you wish to be notified on. If you have forgotten your login details please contact us on 01284 757368 or planning.policy@westsuffolk.gov.uk for assistance.

Local plans

The adopted and emerging Local Plans covering the former St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath areas (and all related policy documents, including guidance and SPD’s) will continue to apply to those parts of the West Suffolk Council area until a new Local Plan for West Suffolk is adopted.

This is currently scheduled for mid-2023. 

Background policy evidence

We collect evidence through case studies and also use data gathered by other bodies to inform our planning policy making processes. Evidence is continually gathered in key areas with some documents updated regularly and others only when required.

The evidence documents are listed below under the key areas that need to be considered in planning policy making. The documents listed under each area will help you understand how policies have been influenced and shaped:

Economy

West Suffolk Forest Heath St Edmundsbury
Western Suffolk employment land study 2008-2025 Forest Heath employment land review 2016 St Edmundsbury employment land review 2017
    St Edmundsbury industrial and business land availability study June 2007

Environment

West Suffolk Forest Heath St Edmundsbury
Stone Curlew Buffers in the Brecks (2016) Forest Heath strategic flood risk assessment level 2 October 2011 St Edmundsbury rural sites 2012 ecological assessment
Visitor Survey Results from Breckland SPA (May 2011) Forest Heath water cycle study stage 2: full strategy October 2011 St Edmundsbury rural sites 2010 ecological assessment
Strategic flood risk assessment and water cycle study 2009 PPG17: An Assessment of Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facilities in Forest Heath
Overview and Summary November 2008		 Bury St Edmunds district heating study 2011
Braintree District, Haverhill and Clare water cycle study 2009 Forest Heath supporting statement natural environment 2009 St Edmundsbury green infrastructure 2009
Joint Infrastructure and environmental capacity appraisal 2009    
Suffolk landscape character assessment    

General

West Suffolk Forest Heath St Edmundsbury
District profile - (Datashine:Census) or (Suffolk Observatory) Forest Heath Settlement Profiles 2016 Bury St Edmunds Vision 2031 infrastructure delivery plan January 2014
    Haverhill Vision 2031 infrastructure delivery plan January 2014
    Rural Vision 2031 infrastructure delivery plan January 2014 - to follow
    Site Submissions (St Edmundsbury) Vision 2031
    St Edmundsbury Prince's Foundation Vision 2031 final report 2011
    St Edmundsbury core strategy infrastructure delivery plan April2010

Housing

West Suffolk Forest Heath St Edmundsbury
Brownfield Register Update on Objectively Assessed Need (OAN) in the Cambridge Sub-Region Housing Market Area – February 2017 St Edmundsbury housing requirements study 2005
Self-build and custom housebuilding register A note for clarification by Cambridgeshire County Council Research Group to support Forest Heath District Council in objectively assessing and evidencing development needs for housing - January 2017  
West Suffolk gypsy and traveller accommodation needs assessment (GTANA) update 2016 Forest Heath Objectively Assessed Housing Need January and August 2016  
West Suffolk Strategic Housing Land and Economic Availability Assessment(SHELAA) Forest Heath Market Signals and Objectively Assessed Housing Need February 2016  
Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2013 (SHMA) Forest Heath trends in economy, population and housing November 2011  
West Suffolk gypsy and traveller accommodation needs assessment (GTANA) update 2012    
West Suffolk housing strategy    

Retail

West Suffolk Forest Heath St Edmundsbury
Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury Retail Impact Threshold Advice 2014 Forest Heath Retail and Leisure Study 2016 St Edmundsbury Retail and Leisure Study 2016
  Forest Heath Retail and Town Centre Study 2011 St Edmundsbury retail appraisal report January 2012
  Forest Heath supporting statement, retail March 2009  
  Forest Heath retail and town centre study 2006  

Transport

West Suffolk Forest Heath St Edmundsbury
Suffolk local transport plan (Suffolk County Council website) Forest Heath AECOM, transport impact study 2009 Bury St Edmunds junction assessments 2013
    Haverhill transport assessment 2010
    Bury St Edmunds transport impacts November 2009

Historic documents

Our planning policies are also underpinned by national planning policy produced by central government.