Planning and development advice

Countywide guidance for all planning developments in Suffolk. The information provided should be used alongside the advice of each district council.

Countywide guidance for all planning developments in Suffolk. The information provided should be used alongside the advice of each district council.

Further advice and guidance can be found on the Planning Portal or by contacting your district or borough council. You can also read our advice on minerals and waste development and Highway Authority pre-application planning service and charges.

Pre-application advice

You can submit a request for pre-application advice for a minerals or waste application and advice for County Council Developments is also available.

Find out how our ecological and landscape services carrying out appraisals on numerous projects each year.

Application for Agreements or Works Licence
Download a form to apply for agreements or works licence under Section 38 and Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980.
Development Design and Specification
Roads in residential or industrial developments must meet requirements for materials and workmanship in order to be adopted by Suffolk County Council.
Suffolk Design: Streets Guide
Advising house builders about the design of residential areas in Suffolk.
Air Quality in Suffolk
Information about air quality in Suffolk and how it is monitored and managed. Includes guidance for local authorities to use when considering the impact of new...
Parking guidance
2014 Suffolk Guidance for Parking published by Suffolk County Council for parking in new developments and changes to parking in existing developments.
Developer Contributions
Developer contributions are secured to ensure that new development does not put a strain on existing services and facilities
Travel plans
Find information on creating travel plans to support sustainable travel to schools, workplaces and residential developments.
Planning advice archive
Download archived planning advice and environment reports.
Spatial planning
Spatial planning seeks to integrate land use policies with other important policy objectives to achieve sustainable development.
Riparian ownership in Suffolk
Find out the rights and responsibilities of riparian owners of ditches, streams or other watercourses.
Planning a development in a flood zone
Advice for developers and local authorities about developing on a flood zone.
Neighbourhood planning guidance
Download and read guidance for neighbourhood planning in Suffolk.