Issue 2, 9th - 15th October, 2026

Welcome to issue 2 of The East Suffolk Briefing. A weekly plain-English summary of the public record from East Suffolk Council: decisions made, money spent, planning applications and open consultations.

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

⚠️ HAVE YOUR SAY — The Housing Reasonable Adjustments Policy survey closes on 18 October, and the Sea Link all-interested-parties consultation closes on 22 October.
• PLANNING WATCH — 97 planning applications were validated or decided in the week, including the refusal of a scheme to house Sizewell C construction workers in holiday lodges at Ellough.
• PLANNING WATCH — NSIP WATCH: the Secretary of State issued a third information request on Sea Link, with a decision due by 30 October.
• IN THE CHAMBER — Planning Committee North met on 13 October, and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meets today with the 2025/26 financial outturn on its agenda.
• YOUR MONEY — The council's 2025/26 General Fund ended £1.746m in surplus against a budgeted deficit of £5.3m, and forecast budget gaps for the next three years total £51.6m.
• THE COUNTDOWN — The Government withdrew its local government reorganisation decisions for Suffolk on 7 September; the original timetable's date of 1 April 2028 is 534 days away.

NUMBER OF THE WEEK: £1.746m — the council's General Fund surplus for 2025/26, against a budgeted deficit of £5.3m.

IN THE CHAMBER

PLANNING COMMITTEE NORTH, 13 OCTOBER: LOWESTOFT CULTURAL QUARTER AND FIVE OTHER ITEMS

Planning Committee North met from 1.00pm to 3.36pm on 13 October 2026. Its agenda carried an enforcement case update and six planning items.

The first was a revised proposal for the Battery Green car park on Marina Road, Lowestoft, part of the Lowestoft Cultural Quarter, which officers recommended for approval. An update sheet added six conditions and replaced one. The council reported on 13 October that the committee had approved the revised plans.

Two retrospective applications from PJN Motor Engineering at Wash Lane, Wenhaston, were recommended for approval, one for a change of use to a general industrial use and one for a workshop, sewage plant and access. The report records that the Parish Council and the ward member objected.

At Glebe House, Leiston Road, Theberton, an application to change a dwelling to serviced accommodation for Sizewell C workers was recommended for delegated approval through the Referral Panel; the report records an objection from the Parish Council and that the ward member called the application in.

Two householder items were referred to committee for reasons of the applicant's connection to the council: a rear extension, annex and garage conversion at 12 Lime Close, Wickham Market, where the applicant is a member of council staff, and an orangery and lean-to at 9 Wharton Street, Bungay, a conservation-area property where the applicant is an elected member of the council. Both were recommended for approval.

The outcome sheet and minutes had not been published when this issue was compiled, so results other than Battery Green are not yet confirmed.

Source: Planning Committee North, 13 October 2026 — agenda, reports and update sheet; East Suffolk Council — Revised plans for Lowestoft cultural destination approved, 13 October 2026

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE, 15 OCTOBER: FINANCE OUTTURN AND WORK PROGRAMME

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meets at 6.30pm today. Its agenda includes the council's 2025/26 finance update covering outturn, the budget and the medium-term financial strategy, an update on committee recommendations, and a proposed revised work programme, which the agenda says is "in view of the announcement to withdraw the decision to reorganise Local Government in Suffolk". The finance figures are set out under Your Money. The outcome of the meeting was not available when this issue was compiled.

Source: Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 15 October 2026 — agenda and reports

LICENSING COMMITTEE, 19 OCTOBER: TAXI SPECIFICATION AND FARE REVIEW ON THE AGENDA

The agenda for the Licensing Committee meeting of 19 October 2026 lists proposed amendments to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Specification following consultation, a review of Hackney Carriage fares in the South area, and a report on licences issued and Licensing Sub-Committee work from July to September 2026. The fare report records a driver-group proposal for an increase, with a recommendation to approve the proposal and begin consultation; the last increase was in March 2024.

Source: Licensing Committee, 19 October 2026 — agenda and reports

LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE, 12 OCTOBER, AND CABINET MINUTES

A Licensing Sub-Committee met on 12 October 2026; its one agenda item, on taxi and private hire matters, was exempt from publication. Licensing Sub-Committee, 12 October 2026 The minutes of the Cabinet meeting of 6 October 2026 had not been published when this issue was compiled.

PLANNING WATCH

This issue covers planning applications validated or decided between Friday 9 October and Thursday 15 October 2026. Every application the council's Public Access portal shows as validated or decided in that window appears below, once, with a link to its own application page. Full entries are given where an application is a major, a new dwelling, a change of use, a variation of an earlier permission, affects a listed building, is a nationally significant infrastructure project with movement in the week, or is otherwise of wider interest; every other application appears in the register. Settlements are taken from the address on the portal. Consultation periods for newly validated applications are shown on each application page, and comments are made through the portal link on each item.

PLAYTERS OLD FARM, ELLOUGH: LODGES FOR SIZEWELL C WORKERS REFUSED

(Change of use)

An application for a temporary ten-year change of use of 35 holiday lodges at Playters Old Farm, Ellough, to year-round occupation by construction workers for the Sizewell development consent order is shown on the portal as refused. The decision date was not individually confirmed; the portal returned it in the decision-date search for the week.

Source: Public Access — application DC/25/4223/FUL

33 HAMILTON ROAD, FELIXSTOWE: FORMER BANK TO FOUR APARTMENTS

(Change of use — prior notification)

A prior notification for the conversion of the former bank at 33 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, to four apartments is shown on the portal as decided. The portal status reads only "decided", and the decision date was not individually confirmed.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/2076/P3MA

GARAGE ADJACENT TO 20 GUNTON CHURCH LANE, LOWESTOFT: NEW DETACHED DWELLING

(New dwelling)

Permission was granted on 12 October 2026 to demolish a double garage adjacent to 20 Gunton Church Lane, Lowestoft, and erect a detached dwelling.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/2937/FUL

45 WATERLOO AVENUE, LEISTON: RESERVED MATTERS FOR A TWO-STOREY DWELLING

(New dwelling — reserved matters)

An application for approval of reserved matters for a two-storey dwelling at 45 Waterloo Avenue, Leiston, following an earlier outline permission, was validated on 9 October 2026.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/3432/ARM

CO-OP, SIZEWELL ROAD, LEISTON: RETAIL UNIT TO BE SUBDIVIDED

(Change of use)

Permission was granted on 14 October 2026 to subdivide the retail unit at the Co-op, Sizewell Road, Leiston, to create a separate Class E unit.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/2762/FUL

RINGSFIELD LODGES, RINGSFIELD: PART-RETROSPECTIVE SOLAR PANELS AND PARKING

(Part-retrospective application)

Permission was granted on 9 October 2026 for part-retrospective solar panels on nine lodge roofs and eight additional parking spaces at Ringsfield Lodges, Ringsfield.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/2916/FUL

HOMERSFIELD: TWO RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATIONS REFUSED

(Retrospective applications)

Two retrospective applications at Homersfield are shown on the portal as refused: one for a home office and gym building with a fence, and one for a cart lodge. Their decision dates were not individually confirmed.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/2099/FUL; Public Access — application DC/26/2097/FUL

HEALTH CENTRE, WICKHAM MARKET: SINGLE-STOREY EXTENSION

(Non-residential extension)

A single-storey extension to the Health Centre in Wickham Market is shown on the portal as permitted. The decision date was not individually confirmed.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/1839/FUL

GROVE FARM, BUCKLESHAM: APPLICATION WITHDRAWN

(Full application)

A full application relating to Grove Farm, Bucklesham, is shown on the portal as withdrawn. The decision date was not individually confirmed.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/2142/FUL

ANVIL HOUSE, NEWBOURNE: PRIOR APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED

(Agricultural prior notification)

The council determined on 9 October 2026 that prior approval was not required for a proposal at Anvil House, Newbourne.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/3087/AGO

VARIATIONS OF CONDITIONS: TEN APPLICATIONS

All ten applications to vary the conditions of an earlier permission were permitted in the week; two are variations of listed building consents.

Leiston — B8 storage building, Eastlands Industrial Estate — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2411/VOC)
Melton — The Hermitage — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2776/VOC)
Middleton — Pine Tree Cottage — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2607/VOC)
Reydon — variation of conditions — permitted 12 Oct (DC/26/2919/VOC)
Thorpeness — Disused Garages, Beacon Hill Lane — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/2936/VOC)
Ubbeston — variation of a listed building consent — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/2917/VOC)
Ubbeston — variation of conditions — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/2921/VOC)
Woodbridge — Hartington, Dukes Park — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2658/VOC)
Woodbridge — Alexander House, listed building consent variation — permitted 12 Oct (DC/26/2737/VOC)
Woodbridge — Alexander House — permitted 12 Oct (DC/26/2744/VOC)

Source: Public Access — application pages linked above

LISTED BUILDINGS: EIGHT APPLICATIONS

Five listed building consents were permitted in the week, together with three related full applications.

Blundeston — Blundeston House, windows (related full application) — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/2499/FUL)
Blundeston — Blundeston House — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/2500/LBC)
Homersfield — Wortwell Mill — permitted (DC/26/2100/LBC)
Middleton — Pine Tree Cottage — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2828/LBC)
Woodbridge — 14 Church Street, outbuilding conversion (related full application) — permitted (DC/26/1205/FUL)
Woodbridge — 14 Church Street — permitted (DC/26/1206/LBC)
Woodbridge — 11A Theatre Street (related full application) — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2593/FUL)
Woodbridge — 11A Theatre Street — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2594/LBC)

Source: Public Access — application pages linked above

NSIP WATCH

Nationally significant infrastructure projects are decided by the Secretary of State following an application to the Planning Inspectorate, not through the district's planning portal. This section tracks live projects affecting East Suffolk, from pre-application to post-consent implementation, and appears only for projects with movement in the week.

SEA LINK: THIRD INFORMATION REQUEST, DECISION DUE BY 30 OCTOBER

On 9 October 2026 the Secretary of State issued a third information request to the applicant, with a response due by 23.59 on 16 October 2026, and a late response from the Crown Estate was published. The all-interested-parties consultation launched on 22 September remains open until 23.59 on 22 October 2026, and the decision stage is due to be completed by 30 October 2026.

Source: Planning Inspectorate — Sea Link project updates (EN020026), 9 October 2026

SIZEWELL C: NOISE AND VIBRATION MITIGATION PLAN FOR RAIL WORKS

A discharge of Requirement 2 and the Code of Construction Practice for the Sizewell C bespoke mitigation plan on noise and vibration, covering rail works from November 2026 to October 2027, was validated on 12 October 2026. The consultation on the separate non-material change application remains open until 11.59pm on 28 October 2026.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/3585/DRR28

SIZEWELL C: COMMUNITY SAFETY WORKING GROUP MINUTES PUBLISHED

The council published on 13 October 2026 the minutes of the Sizewell C Community Safety Working Group meeting of 17 September 2026. The minutes record that rail freight is now arriving, with each train equivalent to 50 HGVs, that Sizewell C reported fewer reports of its stickered vehicles being fly-parked or using restricted roads, that additional park-and-ride spaces were due to open in October 2026, and that Suffolk Fire and Rescue carried out 72 home fire safety visits in July and 141 in August in the Leiston and Yoxford area. Sizewell C Limited reported that enquiries to its community relations team fell each month from July to September. The next meeting is on 17 December 2026.

Source: East Suffolk Council — Sizewell C Community Safety Working Group minutes, 17 September 2026

THE FULL REGISTER

Every other application in the window, by settlement. 'Validated' lines are applications received for decision; the other lines show the outcome recorded on the portal.

Condition discharge — Foursome, Aldeburgh — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2950/DRC)
Tree works (conservation area), Aldeburgh — no objections raised 13 Oct (DC/26/3143/TCA)
Consultation response — telecommunications pole, Linden Road, Aldeburgh — no objections raised 9 Oct (DC/26/3284/CON)
Tree works (conservation area) — trees T8 to T11, Priors Hurst, Aldeburgh — validated 13 Oct (DC/26/3490/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area) — conifer fell, Alde Cottage, Aldeburgh — validated 9 Oct (DC/26/3560/TCA)
Tree works (TPO) — trees T1 to T7, Priors Hurst, Aldeburgh — validated 13 Oct (DC/26/3583/TPO)
Condition discharge — conditions 6, 8 and 9 of an earlier permission, drilling under the Hundred River, Aldringham cum Thorpe — permitted 12 Oct (DC/26/2945/DRC)
Tree works (conservation area), Beccles — no objections raised 13 Oct (DC/26/3042/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area), Beccles — no objections raised 13 Oct (DC/26/3043/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area) — copper beech and yew, Puddingmoor, Beccles — validated 12 Oct (DC/26/3546/TCA)
Condition discharge — condition 4 of an earlier variation of conditions, land rear of 7 Ringsfield Road, Beccles — validated 12 Oct (DC/26/3551/DRC)
Tree works (TPO) — The Spinney, Beccles — validated 12 Oct (DC/26/3564/TPO)
County Council application consultation — replacement welfare building, Benhall Water Recycling Centre, Benhall — validated 13 Oct (DC/26/3582/CCC)
Condition discharge — former HMP Blundeston, Blundeston — permitted 13 Oct (DC/26/2588/DRC)
Tree works (conservation area), Bramfield — no objections raised 9 Oct (DC/26/3124/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area), Bromeswell — no objections raised 9 Oct (DC/26/2944/TCA)
Householder — windows, Flixton Road, Bungay — permitted (DC/26/1511/FUL)
Tree works (TPO) — oak and holly fell, Wingfield Street, Bungay — validated 14 Oct (DC/26/3548/TPO)
Condition discharge — Ash Abbey, Campsea Ashe — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/2855/DRC)
Non-material amendment, Carlton Colville — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/3228/AME)
Consultation response — certificate of location, five-pitch caravan site, Chediston — case closed 13 Oct (DC/26/3304/CON)
Certificate of lawfulness, Cratfield — withdrawn 9 Oct (DC/26/2819/CLP)
Full application — Granary Cottages, Darsham — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/2663/FUL)
Tree works (conservation area) — pine height reduction by 8 metres, The Old Forge, Dunwich — validated 12 Oct (DC/26/3549/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area) — pollard of three willows, Wall View, Easton — validated 9 Oct (DC/26/3535/TCA)
Advertisement consent — The White Horse, Church Road, Felixstowe — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/2667/ADI)
Advertisement consent — Volvo Truck and Bus, Bryon Avenue, The Docks, Felixstowe — permitted 12 Oct (DC/26/2857/ADI)
Tree works (conservation area), Felixstowe — no objections raised 14 Oct (DC/26/3145/TCA)
Condition discharge, Felixstowe Ferry — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/3160/DRC)
Condition discharge, Friston — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/3269/DRC)
Condition discharge — Blomvyle Hall solar farm, Hacheston — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/3047/DRC)
Tree works (conservation area), Halesworth — no objections raised 13 Oct (DC/26/3048/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area), Halesworth — no objections raised 14 Oct (DC/26/3102/TCA)
Householder — two-storey rear extension, Hanbury Close, Halesworth — validated 9 Oct (DC/26/3536/FUL)
Condition discharge — conditions 8, 14, 26 and 28, Hammonds Garage foodstore, Halesworth — validated 12 Oct (DC/26/3561/DRC)
Condition discharge — Corner Bungalow, Kelsale cum Carlton — decided (DC/25/1592/DRC)
Condition discharge — Manor Farm Care Home, Kessingland — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/2925/DRC)
Condition discharge — Castaways, Kessingland — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/3334/DRC)
Tree works (TPO), Leiston — permitted 13 Oct (DC/26/2962/TPO)
Tree works (TPO), Levington — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/2961/TPO)
Full application — Causeway Cottage, Pakefield Street, Lowestoft — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2494/FUL)
Tree works (TPO) — Snowdrop Close, Lowestoft — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2978/TPO)
Condition discharge — Beccles Road, Lowestoft — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/3075/DRC)
Condition discharge — Stanley Road, Lowestoft — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/3096/DRC)
Non-material amendment — Stanley Road, Lowestoft — permitted 12 Oct (DC/26/3191/AME)
Non-material amendment — Hamilton Docks, Lowestoft — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/3306/AME)
Full application — 3 metre acoustic fence, Rodber Way, Lowestoft — validated 12 Oct (DC/26/3387/FUL)
Householder — single-storey rear extension, Westland, Martlesham — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2871/FUL)
Non-material amendment — land east of Adastral Park, parcel W2, Martlesham — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/3371/AME)
Tree works (TPO) — woodland W1 of the 1998 order, Portal Woodlands, Martlesham Heath, Martlesham — validated 13 Oct (DC/26/3584/TPO)
Householder — garage, The Firs, Newbourne — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2856/FUL)
Condition discharge — Old Smokehouse, Orford — permitted (DC/26/1052/DRC)
Non-material amendment, Ramsholt — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/3265/AME)
Non-material amendment — Evans Close, Reydon — permitted 9 Oct (DC/26/3456/AME)
Tree works (conservation area), Somerleyton — no objections raised 14 Oct (DC/26/3141/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area), Southwold — no objections raised 14 Oct (DC/26/3103/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area), Southwold — no objections raised 14 Oct (DC/26/3148/TCA)
Non-material amendment — balcony balustrade, Yacht Yard, Southwold Harbour, Southwold — validated 13 Oct (DC/26/3575/AME)
Non-material amendment — sun room, Curlews, Thorpeness — validated 12 Oct (DC/26/3547/AME)
Householder — retrospective 1.8 metre fence, Grimston Lane, Trimley St Martin — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2433/FUL)
Householder — single-storey rear extension, Mill Lane, Trimley St Martin — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2938/FUL)
Tree works (TPO) — Green Garth, Ufford — validated 12 Oct (DC/26/3552/TPO)
Full application — Greenways, Walberswick — permitted (DC/26/2348/FUL)
Householder — bike and bin stores, Greyroof, Walberswick — permitted 13 Oct (DC/26/2873/FUL)
Tree works (conservation area) — lime pollard, High Street, Wickham Market — validated 12 Oct (DC/26/3476/TCA)
Tree works (TPO) — Fitzgerald Road, Woodbridge — permitted 14 Oct (DC/26/2983/TPO)
Tree works (conservation area) — horse chestnut crown reduction by one third, Quaker Burial Ground, Turn Lane, Woodbridge — validated 14 Oct (DC/26/3601/TCA)

Source: Public Access (publicaccess.eastsuffolk.gov.uk) — Advanced Search by date validated and by decision date, 9 to 15 October 2026; each application is linked to its own page.

ON THE HIGH STREET

Licensing notices on the council's public notices page, by town. Representations are made to the council by the date shown.

Beccles — Knead, Common Lane North: application for off-premises sale of alcohol from 8am to 4pm; representations 8 October to 4 November 2026. At the same address, a new premises licence for GB Chocolate Makers (alcohol sold on and off the premises, 10am to 10pm) closed to representations on 13 October.
Eyke — Elephant & Castle, The Street: variation to alcohol hours, to midnight or 1am, and to live music; representations 7 October to 3 November 2026.
Felixstowe — Nutshells By-the-Sea, 1b Hamilton Road: pavement licence renewal for two tables and four chairs on a 4.8m by 0.8m area; representations 14 to 27 October 2026.
Halesworth — 1223, 6 Thoroughfare: new premises licence for the sale of alcohol on and off the premises; representations 14 October to 10 November 2026.
Lowestoft — Papa Johns, 7–9 Station Square: late-night refreshment from 11pm to 3am; the representation period closed on 13 October 2026.

No gambling applications or licence reviews were listed.

Source: East Suffolk Council — Licensing public notices

YOUR MONEY

£1.746M GENERAL FUND SURPLUS FOR 2025/26

The finance update to today's Overview and Scrutiny Committee reports a General Fund surplus of £1.746m for 2025/26, against a budgeted deficit of £5.3m. The report attributes part of the difference to a one-off final settlement of £2.972m with Norse. Earmarked reserves stood at £47.02m on 31 March 2026, up £2.85m. Capital spending was £24.7m against an original budget of £58.5m, and the Housing Revenue Account outturn was a surplus of £0.044m against a forecast of £0.972m.

Source: Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 15 October 2026 — finance update

BUDGET OUTLOOK: GAPS FORECAST FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS

The 2026/27 budget was balanced using £2.7m of reserves, and the first-quarter forecast reduces that use by £700k. The report gives forecast budget gaps, as at 25 February 2026, of £12.3m for 2027/28, £14.1m for 2028/29 and £25.2m for 2029/30. Second-quarter monitoring goes to Cabinet on 3 November 2026, 2027/28 budget papers go to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 21 January 2027, and Full Council is due to approve the budget on 24 February 2027.

Source: Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 15 October 2026 — finance update

OVER £1M INVESTED IN PLAY AREAS, NEW PLAY AREA AT NEWNHAM AVENUE, WOODBRIDGE

The council reported on 12 October that a new play area at Newnham Avenue, Woodbridge, has opened, and that over £1m has been invested in play areas since the 2023 Play Strategy. Play areas at Staplehurst Close, Carlton Colville, and Dale End, Gisleham, are next, with Darby Park, Beccles, and Cavendish Park, Felixstowe, planned for 2027.

Source: East Suffolk Council — news, 12 October 2026

JOBS & TENDERS

TENDERS

Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (Levels 1 and 2), a joint procurement with West Suffolk, Babergh, Mid Suffolk and Ipswich councils, is open; documents may be requested until noon on 19 October 2026. Three dynamic purchasing systems remain open: Coastal Partnership East coastal management (to 18 May 2028), Adaptations for Independent Living (to 3 May 2031) and Lowestoft (to 20 April 2032). Three forthcoming opportunities are listed.

Source: East Suffolk Council — In-Tend current tenders

JOBS

Seven vacancies are listed. Closing soonest: Independent Living Technical Officer (£35,412 to £42,839) on 19 October; General Builder and Carpenter (each £32,578 to £35,570, permanent) on 23 October; Energy Projects Community Liaison Officer (fixed term, £36,581 to £39,481) on 25 October. Also open: Assistant Planner (£25,598 to £42,839) and Financial System and Transaction Manager (£54,495 to £58,809), both closing 1 November, and Pride in Place Programme Manager, Felixstowe (fixed term, £45,529 to £49,817), closing 6 November.

Source: Suffolk Jobs Direct — East Suffolk Council vacancies

THE COUNTDOWN

The Government announced on 7 September 2026 that its current local government reorganisation decisions for Suffolk have been withdrawn, together with those for Norfolk, Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock, and Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, and that a rapid review of the programme is under way. The decision for Surrey is not affected. The GOV.UK page gives no revised timetable.

The date of 1 April 2028 used in this countdown comes from the previous reorganisation timetable. It is 534 days away; no revised date has been published.

This week: no further announcement was found.

Source: GOV.UK — Local government reorganisation: programme review and decisions withdrawal letter to council leaders, 7 September 2026

HAVE YOUR SAY

Open consultations and representation periods, soonest-closing first.

HOUSING REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS POLICY — CLOSES 18 OCTOBER ⚠️

Tenants are invited to share views on how the council identifies, records and provides reasonable adjustments to support people with disabilities, health conditions, communication needs or other circumstances that make it harder to access housing services. The consultation opened on 30 September and closes on 18 October 2026. Take part in the consultation

SEA LINK — CLOSES 22 OCTOBER ⚠️

Responses to the Secretary of State's all-interested-parties consultation are due by 23.59 on 22 October 2026 (see Planning Watch). Planning Inspectorate — Sea Link project updates

NUTSHELLS BY-THE-SEA, FELIXSTOWE, PAVEMENT LICENCE — CLOSES 27 OCTOBER ⚠️

Representations on the renewal of the pavement licence at 1b Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, are open until 27 October 2026 (see On the High Street). East Suffolk Council — Licensing public notices

SIZEWELL C NON-MATERIAL CHANGE — CLOSES 28 OCTOBER

Representations on the re-consultation are due by 11.59pm on 28 October 2026. Planning Inspectorate — Sizewell C project updates

YOUNG PEOPLE SURVEY — CLOSES 31 OCTOBER

People aged 13 to 21 can complete a short survey on services and activities in their area and how safe they feel in their community. Young people — what's important to you?

LICENSING REPRESENTATIONS — CLOSE 3 NOVEMBER, 4 NOVEMBER AND 10 NOVEMBER

Representation periods are open on the Elephant & Castle, Eyke (3 November), Knead, Beccles (4 November) and 1223, Halesworth (10 November) applications (see On the High Street). East Suffolk Council — Licensing public notices

NEW LOCAL PLAN CALL FOR SITES — CLOSES 16 NOVEMBER

The council has re-opened its Call for Sites, inviting submissions of sites for housing, employment and other development for consideration in the new Local Plan. Sites must be submitted by 5pm on Monday 16 November 2026. The council states that submitting a site does not guarantee it will be included in the Local Plan or granted planning permission. A new Local Plan for East Suffolk — Call for sites

GENERAL SURVEY — PERMANENTLY OPEN

The council's general survey about the district is permanently live; it takes a snapshot of views each year on 31 December to feed into budget setting. Tell us what you think about East Suffolk

COMING UP

Thursday 15 October, 6.30pm — Overview and Scrutiny Committee. CMIS meetings calendar
Friday 16 October, 23.59 — Sea Link applicant's response to the Secretary of State's third information request due. Planning Inspectorate
Sunday 18 October — Housing Reasonable Adjustments survey closes (see Have Your Say).
Monday 19 October, 6.30pm — Licensing Committee. CMIS meetings calendar
Monday 19 October — Strategic Flood Risk Assessments document requests close at noon; Independent Living Technical Officer vacancy closes. In-Tend
Tuesday 20 October, 11.00am — Licensing Sub-Committee. CMIS meetings calendar
Tuesday 20 October, 2.00pm — Kesgrave, Rushmere St Andrew, Martlesham, Carlford and Fynn Valley Community Partnership (Otley Village Hall). CMIS meetings calendar
Wednesday 21 October, 3.00pm — Aldeburgh, Leiston, Saxmundham and villages Community Partnership (Friston Village Hall). CMIS meetings calendar
Thursday 22 October — Sea Link consultation closes (see Have Your Say).
Friday 23 October, 5.00pm — Pride in Place — Felixstowe West (Langer Primary Academy). CMIS meetings calendar
Friday 23 October — General Builder and Carpenter vacancies close. Suffolk Jobs Direct
Sunday 25 October — Energy Projects Community Liaison Officer vacancy closes. Suffolk Jobs Direct
Tuesday 27 October — Felixstowe pavement licence representations close. Licensing public notices
Wednesday 28 October — Sizewell C re-consultation closes (see Have Your Say).
By Friday 30 October — Secretary of State decision on Sea Link due. Planning Inspectorate
Saturday 31 October — Young people survey closes (see Have Your Say).
Tuesday 3 November — Cabinet receives second-quarter budget monitoring; Eyke licence representations close. CMIS meetings calendar
Wednesday 4 November — Beccles (Knead) licence representations close. Licensing public notices
Tuesday 10 November — Halesworth (1223) licence representations close. Licensing public notices
Monday 16 November, 5pm — Call for Sites closes (see Have Your Say).
Thursday 21 January 2027 — 2027/28 budget papers to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 15 October 2026
Wednesday 24 February 2027 — Full Council due to approve the 2027/28 budget. Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 15 October 2026

The East Suffolk Briefing is published by Verified Brief. All information is drawn from publicly available sources including council minutes, planning records, procurement registers, and official government publications. Links go directly to primary source documents. Nothing in this newsletter constitutes opinion, legal advice, or political commentary.