Westerfield residents can have say on new neighbourhood plan

The public can now have their say on Westerfield Parish Council's neighbourhood plan which is now with East Suffolk Council.

If approved, East Suffolk Council will use the policies and proposals within the plan to determine applications within the Westerfield area.

The plan's main aim is to preserve the village feel and not to become a suburb of Ipswich, while still encouraging services.

East Suffolk’s cabinet member for planning and coastal management, Councillor Kay Yule said: “Creating a neighbourhood plan gives residents the opportunity to get involved in determining the future for their local area, deciding where any new developments should be and giving guidance on what those new buildings or developments should look like.”

The plans do allow for nearly 20 dwellings in an allocated area. (Image: Google Maps)

The parish council are looking for small developments after noticing little to no support for developments larger than 10 houses.

In the planning statement, the council said: "This approach will ensure that the undeveloped rural countryside is preserved and remains largely undeveloped."

However, they have allocated a space at Lower Road that can be used to build 20 homes, to ensure the village still grows.

Additionally, the parish is also looking to maintain a green "buffer zone" to Ipswich by protecting the hedges, trees and other shrubbery along its border. 

The statement adds that Westerfield has a "distinctive rural feel despite its close proximity to Ipswich," which they would like to protect. 

The council want to protect the green spaces in the village. (Picture: David Kindred)

They are also looking to protect their four green spaces, by not allowing development in those areas, supporting community action projects and funding local group activities. 

The plan states that any new building should respect the heritage and the characteristics of Westerfield developments. 

Excessive lighting other than for highway and security needs will also be restricted if the plans are approved. 

This is done to ensure the villagers can look at the night sky and to protect the wildlife in the area. 

Improvements to services for the Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene are encouraged. (Image: Google Maps)

Plans to improve services at seven spots - namely: The Village Hall, the paddock, the Bowls Club, the Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene, the Swan Public House, the Railway Inn Public House and Westerfield Railway Station - will be encouraged by the council.  

Hard copies of the Westerfield Neighbourhood Plan are available to view during normal opening hours at Kesgrave Library and at East Suffolk Customer Service Centre in Woodbridge Library.

Alternatively, comments can be emailed to planningpolicy@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or posted to East Suffolk Council, Planning Policy and Delivery Team (Neighbourhood Plans), Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0EQ. 

Residents have till October 9 to make comments on this plan.