Supplementary planning documents

Supplementary planning documents (SPDs) set out more detailed information in support of existing policies contained in a local plan. An SPD does not form part of the local plan but is a material consideration on planning applications.

Adopted SPDs

These SPD's set out the council's approach to the provision of open space and recreation facilities in conjunction with new housing development.

Please note: some of these documents may not be fully accessible for people using assistive technology. If you need then in an accessible format please contact planning.policy@westsuffolk.gov.uk

Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan (December 2017) - The masterplan has been prepared in order to supplement and help implement policies set out within:

• The Bury St Edmunds Vision 2031 (adopted in September 2014).
• The St Edmundsbury Core Strategy (adopted in December 2010).

The masterplan has been formally prepared as a supplementary planning document (SPD) thereby forming part of the statutory planning policy framework for Bury St Edmunds.

The document is in the form of a map which can be printed at full size on AO size paper. When viewed electronically, it is possible to zoom in to view any element in detail.

• Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan adoption statement

Haverhill Town Centre Masterplan (September 2015) - The masterplan has been prepared in order to supplement and help implement policies set out within:

• The Haverhill Vision 2031 (adopted in September 2014).
• The St Edmundsbury Core Strategy (adopted in December 2010).

The masterplan has been formally prepared as an SPD thereby forming part of the statutory planning policy framework for Haverhill. It also replaces the town centre masterplan which was adopted in 2005.

This document has provided a robust framework for regeneration in the town centre and has guided significant investment into the town centre particularly through securing enhanced leisure and retail provision.

• Haverhill Town Centre Masterplan adoption statement

West Suffolk Council Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (April 2026) - This supplementary planning document (SPD) updates and replaces the affordable housing SPD for West Suffolk produced in November 2019. It is a material consideration when making planning decisions. This SPD has been produced to expand on policies set out in the West Suffolk Local Plan 2024-2041 (2025) including SP16 Affordable housing, SP17 Housing type and tenure, SP18 Rural exception sites and LP14 Housing needs of special groups as well as other matters related to the planning process and management and occupancy of affordable housing.

The SPD provides clear policy advice to help all parties involved in the delivery and development of new affordable homes such as developers, landowners, agents and registered providers by providing greater clarity and certainty on the council's policies and requirements. It also provides guidance on issues such as vacant buildings credit, design, flatted development, phasing, funding, the planning application process, pre-application advice, Section 106 agreements, communted sums, management, affordability and occupancy in perpetuity of affordable housing.

The SPD underwent a six-week public consultation between 6 January and 17 February 2026 and was adopted by West Suffolk Council on 14 April 2026. A public consultation statement giving details of the public consultation and the SPD adoption statement can be found below:

• West Suffolk Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document Adoption Statement April 2026
• West Suffolk Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document Consultation Statement April 2026

West Suffolk shop front and advertisement design guidance (February 2015) - This supplementary planning document provides guidance to improve the general standard of shop front design and advertisements throughout West Suffolk. It aims to provide an understanding of the design of shop fronts and advertisements that the local planning authorities in West Suffolk will support when reaching a decision on any planning application or application for advertisement consent. It forms part of both councils' planning policy framework, supplementing the design and conservation policies of each councils' core strategy and the joint development management policies local plan document. The document in itself will not be part of the formal development plan for either authority. It will inform and be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.