Issues and Options for the Ipswich Local Plan Review

Comment

Representation ID: 24918

Received: 30/10/2017

Respondent: Suffolk County Council

I would suggest guidance on dwelling sizes, floor area, building height, garden size and open spaces, as well as densities, should be provided and followed when making allocations to individual sites. The guidance should also take into account spaces needed for appropriate SuDS and need to avoid significant flood risk areas . ie Taller dwellings and more open space would mean more space for SuDS is available.

Comment

Representation ID: 24919

Received: 30/10/2017

Respondent: Suffolk County Council

More rainwater harvesting, simple measures such as water butts, or perhaps not permitting developments which have long term requirements for pumps for drainage. Open landscaped/vegetated SuDS.

Comment

Representation ID: 24920

Received: 30/10/2017

Respondent: Suffolk County Council

Ravenswood is a clear example of successful SuDS. Many others exist, see SUSDRAIN web site and many other references in our SuDS Guide.

Comment

Representation ID: 24921

Received: 30/10/2017

Respondent: Suffolk County Council

Q74 reads "SUDS are designed to reduce potential of new and existing developments with respect to surface water drainage." It should say SUDS are designed to manage runoff from new developments, reducing damage from flooding, improving water quality, protecting and improving the environment, protecting health and safety and ensuring - SUDS definition Floods and Water Management Act.

IBC have endorsed The Suffolk Flood Risk Management Strategy, this provides guiding principles for SUDS in Suffolk. Appendix A provides guidance on SuDS designs and describes associated National Planning Policies/Guidance.

Early consideration of spatial/locational requirements for SuDS in the planning process is essential.

Comment

Representation ID: 25433

Received: 30/10/2017

Respondent: Suffolk County Council

Minerals and Waste issues are not a natural fit under any of the headings provided. However, they are of relevance to the development of the Plan. IBC will be aware that the County Council is currently developing a new Minerals and Waste Local Plan for Suffolk. Ipswich Borough Council will need to be most aware of the safeguarding policies designed to protect the use of waste sites and the use of various kinds of minerals sites as well as minerals resources. See full comments for relevant draft policies.

Comment

Representation ID: 25434

Received: 30/10/2017

Respondent: Suffolk County Council

The County Council welcomes that the Borough Council has these measures in place and would like to see them continued. As with consideration of the ageing population, consideration could be given to the way in which children and younger people interact with the built environment.

Comment

Representation ID: 25435

Received: 30/10/2017

Respondent: Suffolk County Council

Suffolk's population is ageing at a faster rate than the national average. Meeting the needs of older people, with housing and the built environment designed to reflect changing requirements, offers a chance to improve older people's independence and quality of life whilst also contributing to reductions in overall demand for health and care services. IBC should give detailed consideration to retaining or expanding the policy requirement that a proportion of new homes be built to the optional standards allowed for through the Deregulation Act 2015. IBC should also consider the need to make specific allocations for housing with care.

Comment

Representation ID: 25436

Received: 30/10/2017

Respondent: Suffolk County Council

Public health intersects with many areas of the planning system. The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Suffolk (refreshed in 2016) identifies four strategic outcomes with four cross cutting themes (see full comments). The plan should: make provision for play space on allocated sites and safe walking and cycling routes; include additional standards for accessible homes; increase the number of accessible homes in Ipswich; include dementia-friendly design. IBC should consider whether Building for Life Guidelines are sufficient, or whether to produce more detailed local design guidance. Access to the natural environment improves mental and physical health and wellbeing, prevents disease and helps people recover from illness. Green space delivered through the Local Plans, can help to reduce health inequalities.

Comment

Representation ID: 25437

Received: 30/10/2017

Respondent: Suffolk County Council

In making decisions relating to open space and biodiversity, IBC should be mindful of the importance of open space and the natural environment to public health, the historic environment and the economy. Factors cited by companies in favour of investing in Suffolk and Norfolk include the area's quality of life and its environment. Our natural environment plays a huge part in the quality of life here and in our existing and future competitiveness. The Local Plan offers an opportunity - even in an urban area like Ipswich - to incorporate measures for enhancement of the natural environment into new development.

Comment

Representation ID: 25438

Received: 30/10/2017

Respondent: Suffolk County Council

Policies should identify a means of ensuring that development protects and provides for enhancement of heritage assets, both on-site and cumulatively, at a strategic level, with integration into master planning and briefs and strategies for 'quarters' or 'opportunity areas'. The plan should clearly set out strategic and development management policies that ensure that the local and national/international significance of heritage assets can be understood in decision-making processes. The plan should have Development Management policies relating to different types of heritage asset (both built and below ground). The policy framework should be set out in such a way as to link heritage assets to the different objectives they support, and consideration of the historic environment should be integrated through the plan.