Suffolk Design Guide for Residential Areas

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 ending 2009.

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:

  • promote a sustainable approach to the layout and design of estate development;
  • reflect the essential character of Suffolk in new housing developments;
  • improve the visual appearance of residential areas;
  • improve the quality of life for residents;
  • 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. The Suffolk local planning authorities are considering carrying out a review of the guide but are awaiting the publication of the "Manual for Streets" which has been commissioned by the Department for Transport and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.   

Introduction (PDF, 145 Kb)
Perceptions (PDF, 2.34Mb)
Shape of Development
 - Highways (PDF, 4.39 Mb)
 - Design Principles (PDF, 4.35 Mb)
 - Landscaping (PDF, 3.42 Mb)
Materials
 - Dwellings (PDF, 1.27 Mb)
 - Roads (PDF, 1.20 Mb)
 - Hard Landscaping (PDF, 4.11 Mb)
Individual Dwellings
 - Design Principles (PDF, 4.59 Mb)
 - Parking and Garaging (PDF, 3.63 Mb)
 - Driveways (PDF, 648 Kb)
Road Types In Detail
 - Pages 95-103 (PDF, 3.88 Mb)
 - 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.

For further advice on the application of the standards please contact:

Alan Newman 
Telephone: 01473 264763
Email: alan.newman@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk