Neighbourhood Plan

A six-week public consultation on the Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan is being launched today (Monday 30^th October 2023).

Following the previous consultation period that took place in early 2023, new policies have been added to the Neighbourhood Development Plan, alongside some further amendments to the existing policies.  Amongst the three new policies are two covering South Lowestoft, particularly the London Road South area and the South Lowestoft Conservation Area.  For this round of consultation, the Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group are particularly interested in hearing from residents and businesses within the Kirkley area on these new policies.

These new policies were influenced by comments made by local people and stakeholders, with over 200 individual comments and suggestions reviewed after the consultation had ended.  The changes reflect the continued importance that local residents, businesses and stakeholders have had on the development of this Plan.

A document highlighting the changes made between the consultations has also been created to show the Plan's development.

A public drop-in session to view the Plan and ask any questions has been arranged at The Kirkley Centre on Wednesday 22nd November, 3pm-6pm.

Neighbourhood Development Plans are a powerful tool which is backed and informed by local debate and support.  The plan aims to shape the future development and growth of Lowestoft by making a direct contribution to the planning decision-making process whilst also striving to protect our unique heritage and green spaces.

This public consultation, known as the Regulation 14 Consultation, is part of the process of developing the plan before it comes forward for a public referendum.  Residents are encouraged to read the plan and submit any comments on the proposed policies into the Town Council by the 11^th December 2023.  The comment submission form is available to download from the Town Council website, with hard copies available on request by contacting the Town Council offices by calling 0330 053 6019 or by writing to the Town Council at Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan (LNDP), c/o Lowestoft Town Council, Hamilton House, Battery Green Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1DE.

Draft Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan

Supporting Documents:

• Supporting Document 3 - Protecting Open Landscapes, Sports Fields and Local Green Spaces
• Changes made to The Plan from the January 2023 draft document to October 2023
• Town Infrastructure Investment Plan

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Lowestoft Town Council has been designated the whole of the parish area of Lowestoft to produce a Neighbourhood Development Plan for. The Lowestoft Neighbourhood Plan is a framework for development and regeneration of Britain's most easterly town. The town is a complex urban area comprising port, town centre, areas of deprivation, retail parks, offshore industry, as well as beaches and tourism.

The Lowestoft Neighbourhood Plan will form part of the statutory development plan for the area, together with the Waveney Local Plan. Planning applications must be determined in accordance with the statutory development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

The Lowestoft Neighbourhood Plan will be adopted by referendum and will set policies for the town for the next 15 years.

Our vision for the Lowestoft Neighbourhood Plan is to secure sustainable and high quality regeneration and economic development for Lowestoft, realising the town's potential as a vibrant and attractive place to live, work, visit and invest.

Our aims for the Neighbourhood Plan are:

• 21st century mixed use waterfront
• Confidence as the place to invest
• Sustainable economy, port, town, enterprise
• Balanced community, with range of facilities and housing
• High quality environment
• Heritage-led regeneration
• Balanced and sustainable transport provision
• Protection of local green spaces (open spaces and parks)

What are yours? We welcome your engagement as we develop the plan. Please email your thoughts to admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk and attend our engagement events which will be publicised here.

 

Neighbourhood Plans have the opportunity to designate Local Green Spaces which are of particular importance to the town. This will afford protection from development (other than in very special circumstances). Local Green Spaces should only be designated if the green space is:

• In reasonably close proximity to the community it serves
• Demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife 
• Local in character and not an extensive tract of land.

As we continue to development the Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan we would be interested to hear your views on how policies to mitigate against climate change can be introduced and how the plan can deliver ‘low carbon’ policies. Should there by more cycle paths, should all new builds include electric car charging points, and should tree planting, street trees, rain gardens and green roofs be promoted through new development? In the meantime, you can calculate your own carbon footprint using a simple tool and a range of advice sheets on issues such as the use of energy monitors, electric vehicles, secondary glazing are available to download for free from the centre for sustainable energy.

We would like you to consider which open spaces you value in the Town and let us know if you would like them to be considered for designation via the emerging Plan. Email admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk