Current Review
There have been
many changes since 1993 in planning policy relating to housing and
a greater emphasis on achieving higher quality design. The SDG is
now showing its age. In particular, there has been an increasing
emphasis on brownfield development, higher density development, the
introduction of maximum car parking standards, more emphasis on
"sustainable" development and increasingly "sustainable
construction" and renewable energy.
The Departments for Communities and Local Government and Transport
jointly published "Manual for Streets" (MfS). The aim of MfS is to
create streets which contribute to creating a sense of place and
are not seen solely as a means of movement for vehicles. It aims to
break away from "standardised, prescriptive, risk-averse methods to
create high-quality places".
As a result of the publication of MfS the Suffolk Local Planning
Authorities (LPAs) are reviewing the role of the Suffolk Design
Guide.
It is anticipated that Manual for Streets will be supplemented
in Suffolk by, a) some additional highway guidance and b) some
design guidance to reflect the distinctive character of
Suffolk.
Work is progressing on these supplements. Once completed we will
consult widely with homebuilders and Local Communities before
adapting the supplements as supplementary guidance.
Consultation is not likely to commence until 2011/2012.
Suffolk Design Guide
The Suffolk Design Guide for Residential Areas
was adopted as supplementary planning guidance by all the Suffolk
local planning authorities in 1993 and was slightly revised in 2000
to acknowledge changes in planning policy guidance. The guide's
aims are to:
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promote a sustainable approach to the layout
and design of estate development;
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reflect the essential character of Suffolk in
new housing developments;
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improve the visual appearance of residential
areas;
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improve the quality of life for
residents;
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ensure the provision of a footway, cycle and
road network which is safe and convenient to use and which does not
detract from the attractiveness of the estate.
The guide should be read in conjunction with the
Specification for estate roads document which is also available
on this web site.
Introduction (PDF, 145 Kb)
Perceptions (PDF, 2.34Mb)
Shape of Development
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Highways (PDF, 4.39 Mb)
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Design Principles (PDF, 4.35 Mb)
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Landscaping (PDF, 3.42 Mb)
Materials
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Dwellings (PDF, 1.27 Mb)
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Roads (PDF, 1.20 Mb)
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Hard Landscaping (PDF, 4.11 Mb)
Individual Dwellings
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Design Principles (PDF, 4.59 Mb)
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Parking and Garaging (PDF, 3.63 Mb)
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Driveways (PDF, 648 Kb)
Road Types In Detail
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Pages 95-103 (PDF, 3.88 Mb)
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Pages 104-125 (PDF, 2.24 Mb)
Utilities, Services and Street Furniture (PDF, 2.03Mb)
Appendices (PDF, 1.26Mb)
Suffolk Advisory Parking Standards
Suffolk Advisory Parking Standards (PDF, 504 Kb)
The Suffolk Advisory Parking Standards were adopted by the County
Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance in April 2002. The
Standards provide policy advice to those considering planning
applications for new development and set out advisory levels of
parking for particular types of scheme. The standards relate to car
and cycle parking. Car parking standards are expressed as maximum
standards whereas cycle parking standards are expressed as minimum
standards. This reflects Government advice in PPG13.
There have been changes in policy resulting in the need for local
authorities to develop residential parking policies for their
areas, taking account of expected levels of car ownership, the
importance of promoting good design and the need to use land
efficiently. The 'maximum' residential parking standards within
Suffolk Advisory Parking Standards are therefore currently being
reviewed.
For further advice on the application of the standards please
contact:
Carol Grimsey
Telephone: 01473 264756
Email:
carol.grimsey@suffolk.gov.uk
In Suffolk we now have a growing number of green buildings that are
cheaper to heat, cheaper to light, have less environmental impact
and are better adapted to climate change. The purpose of the
Suffolk Green Building Network is to raise the profile of these
fantastic buildings, inspiring others to commission similar
projects. Residents, engineers, planners, architects, installers
and building managers who share an interest and enthusiasm for
green buildings can learn about best practice and innovation
through the networks
website (
www.greensuffolk.org/sgbn)
and a series of planned events. The Suffolk Green Building Network
is a collaboration between the Creating the Greenest County
Partnership and University Campus Suffolk
(UCS).