Launch issue, 2nd - 8th October, 2026

Welcome to issue 1 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 — 87 planning applications were validated or decided in the week, including permission for a resort attractions park at Beach Street, Felixstowe, and two self-build dwellings at Westerfield.
• PLANNING WATCH — NSIP WATCH: Sizewell C's application for a non-material change to its development consent order is out for re-consultation until 28 October.
• IN THE CHAMBER — Cabinet papers for 6 October recommend adopting the Tree and Hedgerow Strategy and a revised Rent and Service Charge Policy with rent convergence; the Strategic Planning Committee met on 5 October.
• YOUR MONEY — £2.1m from the Sizewell C skills fund is allocated to a training campus at East Coast College, and ten ward councillors have jointly funded a Lowestoft festival with £9,250.
• JOBS & TENDERS — A joint flood-risk assessment tender closes on 19 October, and eight council vacancies are open.
• 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 541 days away.

NUMBER OF THE WEEK: 87 — planning applications validated (21) or decided (66) in East Suffolk in the week.

IN THE CHAMBER

CABINET PAPERS: TREE AND HEDGEROW STRATEGY FOR ADOPTION

East Suffolk Cabinet met at 6.00pm on 6 October 2026 at East Suffolk House. The published report on the Tree and Hedgerow Strategy, a key decision, recommends that Cabinet adopts the Strategy and commits to the high-level implementation actions in its delivery plan. The report records that a motion passed at Full Council in July 2024 committed the council to enabling 250,000 new native trees in the district, and that a public consultation on the draft Strategy ran from 8 July to 5 August 2026. The Strategy proposes advice, free trees for smaller projects and application support for eligible projects.

Source: Cabinet, 6 October 2026 — agenda and report ES-2937

CABINET PAPERS: REVISED RENT AND SERVICE CHARGE POLICY WITH RENT CONVERGENCE

The second key decision on the Cabinet agenda was approval of a revised Rent and Service Charge Policy to include social rent convergence, which the Government reintroduced through its April 2026 Policy Statement on Rents for Social Housing. The report states that 2,748 council tenancies currently have rents below formula rent, that convergence would be implemented from 2027/28, and that about 99% convergence would be reached within 16 years, with full convergence taking up to 27 years. Temporary accommodation charges are reviewed separately.

Source: Cabinet, 6 October 2026 — report ES-2938

The agenda also listed three exempt items: the disposal of 32 and 34 Waveney Drive, Lowestoft; the award of a contract for a Uniform platform; and new-build property disposals across various schemes. Their reports are not published. The minutes of the meeting had not been published when this issue was compiled.

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE, 5 OCTOBER: ENERGY PROJECTS, COASTAL MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING PERFORMANCE

The Strategic Planning Committee met from 10.00am to 11.47am on 5 October 2026 at Riverside, Lowestoft. Its agenda carried updates on nationally significant infrastructure projects, coastal management and adaptation, specialist services, planning policy and delivery, and building control, and a Development Management performance report for 1 April to 30 June 2026.

The performance report records that 5 of 8 major applications (62.5%) were decided within 13 weeks or an agreed extension of time, against a national target of 60%, and that 339 of 396 non-major applications (85.6%) were decided within eight weeks or an agreed extension, against a target of 70%.

The energy projects report records that Sizewell C is in its third year of construction, that the council approved a revised Rail Noise Mitigation Plan through the discharge of Requirement 39 allowing two freight trains a day, rising to four once all physical mitigation is in place, and that a Secretary of State decision on Sea Link is expected by 30 October 2026. It also records that the Norwich to Tilbury examination closed on 10 August 2026, with a recommendation expected by November 2026 and a decision anticipated in February 2027, and that submission of the LionLink application is anticipated in the second quarter of 2027.

Source: Strategic Planning Committee, 5 October 2026 — agenda and reports

A Licensing Sub-Committee also met on 6 October 2026; both items on its published agenda were exempt from publication. Licensing Sub-Committee, 6 October 2026

PLANNING WATCH

This issue covers planning applications validated or decided between Friday 2 October and Thursday 8 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.

RESORT ATTRACTIONS PARK, BEACH STREET, FELIXSTOWE

(Commercial development — leisure)

An application for a resort attractions park with ancillary business uses, on land at Beach Street (Micklegate Road), Felixstowe, was permitted on 6 October 2026. The application was validated on 12 March 2024.

Source: Public Access — application DC/24/0720/FUL

SOUTHLANDS, LOWER ROAD, WESTERFIELD: TWO SELF-BUILD DWELLINGS

(New dwellings)

Permission was granted on 6 October 2026 for the subdivision of existing residential land at Southlands, Lower Road, Westerfield, and the erection of two self-build dwellings, each with a detached double garage, with a new vehicular crossing and associated works. The application was validated on 13 March 2026.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/0750/FUL

WHITE HOUSE FARM, SAXTEAD ROAD, DENNINGTON: SELF-BUILD DWELLING

(New dwelling)

Permission was granted on 7 October 2026 for a new self-build dwelling with a double garage at White House Farm, Saxtead Road, Dennington. The application was validated on 5 August 2026.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/2693/FUL

HEATHERDENE WORKSHOP, PRIORY ROAD, SNAPE: RESERVED MATTERS FOR A NEW DWELLING

(New dwelling — reserved matters)

Approval of reserved matters, together with discharge of conditions 4, 6, 8 and 9 and a biodiversity net gain condition, was granted for a new detached dwelling following demolition of the existing workshops at Heatherdene Workshop, Priory Road, Snape. The application was validated on 11 March 2026.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/0713/ARM

THE CREAMERY, ANGEL LINK, HALESWORTH: COMMERCIAL TO DWELLINGS

(Change of use)

Permission was granted on 5 October 2026 for change of use from commercial to dwellings (use class C3) at The Creamery, Angel Link, Halesworth. The application was validated on 8 December 2025.

Source: Public Access — application DC/25/4369/FUL

123 DELL ROAD, LOWESTOFT: ANNEXE TO HOLIDAY USE

(Change of use)

An application was validated on 5 October 2026 for change of use of a pre-built annexe to holiday use at 123 Dell Road, Lowestoft. It is awaiting decision.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/3262/FUL

BECCLES MEDICAL CENTRE, ST MARYS ROAD: SURGERY EXTENSION

(Health and community development)

Permission was granted on 2 October 2026 for a two-storey rear and side extension to the doctors' surgery at Beccles Medical Centre, St Marys Road, Beccles. The application was validated on 29 July 2026.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/2689/FUL

BROOMBANK, SAXMUNDHAM ROAD, ALDEBURGH: SUBSTATION

(Statutory undertaker — new structure)

The council's portal records a consultation on the installation of a substation, on a plot of 3 metres by 3 metres, adjacent to Broombank, Saxmundham Road, Aldeburgh, with the status Responded. The portal gives no further detail of the proposal in the entry reviewed.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/3240/CON

VARIATIONS OF CONDITIONS: SEVEN APPLICATIONS

(Variation of condition — round-up)

Seven applications to vary or remove conditions of earlier permissions were validated or decided in the week:

Trimley St Martin — Rosslyn, Grimston Lane: variation of condition 2 of an earlier permission for a front porch and two-storey side extension, to change the roof design — validated 2 Oct (DC/26/3442/VOC)
Wickham Market — Wickham Market Village Hall, High Street: variation of condition 2 of an earlier permission for renovation and modernisation of the hall, including an air source heat pump plant and roof solar panels — permitted (DC/26/2835/VOC)
Blundeston — Whitehouse Farm, Rackhams Corner: variation of condition 2 of an earlier variation for a single-storey timber building comprising three car ports — permitted (DC/26/2787/VOC)
Halesworth — Castle Clothing, Blyth Road: variation of condition 2 of an earlier permission for a warehouse extension, moving the building 4.2 metres away from the north-west boundary and raising it by about 1,000mm — permitted (DC/26/2300/VOC)
Felixstowe — Haven Filling Station, Dock Road: variation of conditions 2, 4 and 6 of an earlier permission for two double-skinned fuel tanks, including an additional six-hose fuel dispenser and revised pipework — permitted (DC/26/1299/VOC)
Campsea Ashe — land opposite Ashe Green Farm, Ivy Lodge Road: variation of conditions 2, 4, 11, 12, 14 and 17 of an earlier permission for a private horse riding school and livery, with minor changes to the building and site layout and a revised external lighting scheme — permitted (DC/25/1481/VOC)
Kessingland — 10 Kessingland Cottages, Rider Haggard Lane: removal of condition 3 (occupation period) of an earlier permission for 29 self-catering holiday units — permitted (DC/26/2968/ROC)

Source: Public Access — application pages linked above

LISTED BUILDING CONSENTS: NINE APPLICATIONS

(Listed building — round-up)

Nine applications for listed building consent were validated or decided in the week:

Earl Soham — Yew Tree Farm House, Framlingham Road: re-rendering and remedial works to external elevations — validated 2 Oct (DC/26/3234/LBC)
Ilketshall St John — Manor Farm, Manor Farm Road: solar panels on the workshop roof and an air source heat pump on the northern elevation — permitted (DC/26/2791/LBC)
South Elmham St Peter — St Peters Hall, Church Road: replacement of seven timber windows and a set of patio doors in hardwood — permitted (DC/26/2781/LBC)
Halesworth — 48 Quay Street: regularisation of works already undertaken, extending the WC into the kitchen to create a wet room — permitted (DC/26/2756/LBC)
Ufford — Ufford Stocks, Church Lane: alteration of the existing stocks and whipping post — permitted (DC/26/2745/LBC)
Somerleyton — Somerleyton Hall: repair and reinstatement of the aviary, new surface water drainage and removal of the concrete floor — permitted (DC/26/2673/LBC)
Lowestoft — Flat 4, Eastleigh, Waterloo Road: regularisation of a stud partition forming a shower room — permitted (DC/26/2569/LBC)
Sweffling — Sweffling Lodge, Rectory Road: solar panels on the south-facing roof of the barn — withdrawn (DC/26/2400/LBC)
Woodbridge — Old Customs Cottage, 5A Quay Street: demolition and enlargement of the single-storey rear extension, with internal alterations — permitted (DC/26/2250/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.

SIZEWELL C: RE-CONSULTATION ON A NON-MATERIAL CHANGE, CLOSES 28 OCTOBER

On 5 October 2026 the Planning Inspectorate published notice that Sizewell C Limited's application for a non-material change to the Sizewell C (Nuclear Generating Station) Order 2022 is being re-consulted, in line with the Secretary of State's response to a request for a reduced consultee list under Regulation 7(3). An earlier consultation on the application closed on 24 June 2026. Representations must be received by 11.59pm on 28 October 2026, by email or post to the addresses on the project page. East Suffolk Council's committee report records that the application was submitted in May 2026 and that the council commented on its eight proposed changes.

Source: Planning Inspectorate — Sizewell C project updates (EN010012), 5 October 2026

SEA LINK: ALL-INTERESTED-PARTIES CONSULTATION CLOSES 22 OCTOBER

The Secretary of State launched an all-interested-parties consultation on the Sea Link project on 22 September 2026, following a request for information of 28 August 2026. Responses to the earlier consultation were published on 24 September 2026. The deadline for the new consultation is 23.59 on 22 October 2026, with responses made through the Planning Inspectorate's Have Your Say service or the project mailbox. The Strategic Planning Committee's energy projects report of 5 October records that the examination has completed, that the Examining Authority submitted its recommendation report on 30 July 2026, that a decision is expected by 30 October 2026, and that the council maintained its objection at the close of the examination.

Source: Planning Inspectorate — Sea Link project updates (EN020026), 24 September 2026

EAST ANGLIA TWO: REQUIREMENT 40 DISCHARGE PERMITTED

A discharge of Requirement 40 (amendments to approved details — amendment to the approved landscape masterplan) for the substations stage of the East Anglia TWO Offshore Wind Farm Development Consent Order was permitted on 6 October 2026. The application was validated on 24 August 2026.

Source: Public Access — application DC/26/3000/DRR

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.

Tree works (conservation area) — robinia pollard at 6 metres, Alde Lane, Aldeburgh — validated 6 Oct (DC/26/3222/TCA)
Consultation response — proposed approval of a venue for marriages and civil partnerships, High Street, Aldeburgh — portal status Responded (DC/26/3412/CON)
Householder — side and part rear single-storey extension, Low Street, Badingham — validated 5 Oct (DC/26/3278/FUL)
Tree works (conservation area) — Scots pine fell, Upper Grange Road, Beccles — portal status Responded (DC/26/2974/TCA)
Householder — rear and side extension, Orchard Close, Blundeston — permitted (DC/26/3085/FUL)
Householder — single-storey side extension, Brightwell Street, Brightwell — permitted (DC/26/2666/FUL)
Householder — side extension and remodelling with garage demolished and rebuilt, St James Street, Dunwich — permitted (DC/26/2848/FUL)
Tree works (conservation area) — oak fell, St James Street, Dunwich — validated 5 Oct (DC/26/3485/TCA)
Householder — side two-storey extension, rear dormer and front porch, Brookside, Earl Soham — permitted (DC/26/2608/FUL)
Tree works (TPO) — yew crown reduction by up to 2 metres and crown lift by 3 metres, The Street, Easton — permitted (DC/26/2910/TPO)
Tree works (TPO) — sycamore fell, High Street, Walton, Felixstowe — refused (DC/26/2697/TPO)
Non-material amendment — to the permission for a self-build chalet bungalow with basement, external staircase and detached garage, Roman Way, Felixstowe — validated 2 Oct (DC/26/3433/AME)
Tree works (conservation area) — fells, pollards and reductions to several trees, Finndale House, Woodbridge Road, Grundisburgh — portal status Responded (DC/26/3062/TCA)
Condition discharge — conditions 7 and 14 of an earlier permission for a warehouse extension, Castle Clothing, Blyth Road, Halesworth — permitted (DC/26/3134/DRC)
Non-material amendment — to the permission for a replacement dwelling at the former Four Gables, Bridge Street: minor changes to window sizes and positions, Halesworth — permitted (DC/26/3199/AME)
Agricultural / commercial — covered loading bay and resurfaced yard, Home Farm, Halesworth Road, Heveningham — permitted (DC/26/2005/FUL)
Householder — two front dormers and lean-to extension to annexe, Boyton Road, Hollesley — permitted (DC/26/2802/FUL)
Full application — solar panels on workshop roof and air source heat pump, Manor Farm (a related listed building consent is in the round-up above), Ilketshall St John — permitted (DC/26/2790/FUL)
Householder — single-storey rear extension, re-roofed garage and cartlodge, Penzance Road, Kesgrave — permitted (DC/26/2643/FUL)
Householder (retrospective) — steps down into new garden extension, Coastguard Lane, Kessingland — permitted (DC/26/2753/FUL)
Extension — space for a physiotherapy clinic, Martins Glebe, Rectory Lane, Kirton — validated 6 Oct (DC/26/3437/FUL)
Tree works (TPO) — fir and Monterrey cypress fell, Martlesham Road, Little Bealings — validated 2 Oct (DC/26/3462/TPO)
Condition discharge — four applications to discharge conditions of the permission for a 21MW solar farm (lighting strategy; biodiversity construction environmental management and construction management plans; gate details; access details), Loudham, Park Farm, Loudham Hall Road — permitted (DC/26/2126/DRC, DC/26/2425/DRC, DC/26/2695/DRC, DC/26/2876/DRC)
Advertisement consent — illuminated small-format advertising display, Jubilee Filling Station, High Street, Lowestoft — permitted (DC/26/2844/ADI)
Tree works (TPO) — two oaks, crown reduction, reshaping and crown raising, Farm Close, Lowestoft — permitted (DC/26/2862/TPO)
Tree works (TPO) — oak limb reduced over driveway, Rubens Walk, Lowestoft — permitted (DC/26/2934/TPO)
Householder — detached garden room, The Copse, Martlesham — permitted (DC/26/2645/FUL)
Tree works (TPO) — oak crown lift to 3 metres, Main Road, Martlesham — permitted (DC/26/2889/TPO)
Tree works (TPO) — oak, excavation up to 90mm along pavement for reinstatement works, Crown Close, Martlesham — permitted (DC/26/2892/TPO)
Householder — rear single-storey extension, Chandos Drive, Martlesham — permitted (DC/26/2914/FUL)
Householder — detached garden room, Swan Close, Martlesham Heath — permitted (DC/26/2842/FUL)
Non-material amendment — to the reserved matters approval for Parcel W5, land south and east of Adastral Park, Martlesham Heath — permitted (DC/26/3026/AME)
Prior notification (demolition) — existing buildings at Shephard and Dog Farm, Orwell Logistics Park, Nacton — prior approval not required (DC/26/2768/DEM)
Tree works (TPO) — holm oak fell, Broke Hall Park, Nacton — permitted (DC/26/2893/TPO)
Householder — alterations forming first-floor dormer windows, Ipswich Road, Newbourne — validated 2 Oct (DC/26/3434/FUL)
Householder — garage and home office extension, The Pightle, North Cove — refused (DC/26/2624/FUL)
Condition discharge — condition 11 (tree protection) of an earlier permission for a mixed-use development on land west of Mobbs Way, Oulton — permitted (DC/24/2776/DRC)
Householder — first-floor extension above garage, Penny Lane, Oulton — permitted (DC/26/2800/FUL)
Full application — demolition of a barn and conversion of another barn to leisure accommodation, with swimming pool, plant room and air source heat pump, The Street, Pettistree — validated 6 Oct (DC/26/3372/FUL)
Tree works (TPO) — Scots pine fell, Purdis Avenue, Purdis Farm (parish unconfirmed) — validated 5 Oct (DC/26/3468/TPO)
Prior notification (householder) — single-storey flat-roofed rear extension, Valleyview Drive, Rushmere St Andrew — validated 5 Oct (DC/26/3443/PNH)
Agricultural (retrospective) — fertiliser storage tank and concrete base, land off Ivy House Farm, Saxtead Green — permitted (DC/26/2537/FUL)
Householder — single-storey side extension, Yoxford Road, Sibton — validated 2 Oct (DC/26/3381/FUL)
Householder (retrospective) — garden room, retaining wall and outdoor swimming pool, Church Road, South Elmham St Peter — validated 2 Oct (DC/26/2230/FUL)
Tree works (conservation area) — privet fell, Gardner Road, Southwold — validated 2 Oct (DC/26/3459/TCA)
Householder — alterations, two-storey rear extension and log/cycle store, Thorpe Lane, Trimley St Martin — permitted (DC/26/2836/FUL)
Householder — two single-storey garden rooms, Manor Close, Walberswick — permitted (DC/26/2875/FUL)
Condition discharge — conditions 3, 4 and 5 (ecological avoidance measures) of an earlier permission for extensions and external changes, Seven Acres Lane, Walberswick — permitted (DC/26/3142/DRC)
Householder — extension of annexe/garage to provide an implement store, and a tennis court, Sandy Lane, Waldringfield — validated 2 Oct (DC/26/3357/FUL)
Tree works (conservation area) — magnolia overall crown reduction by 30%, Spring Lane, Wickham Market — validated 6 Oct (DC/26/3489/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area) — two limes crown reduction by 3 metres and crown lift to 4 metres, The Drift, Wickham Market — validated 6 Oct (DC/26/3492/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area) — privet trim and shape, eucalyptus and Norway maple crown reductions, Gospel Hall Close, Wickham Market — validated 7 Oct (DC/26/3506/TCA)
Householder — single-storey lean-to shower room extension, Greyfriars, Woodbridge — permitted (DC/25/3178/FUL)
Householder — demolition and enlargement of single-storey rear extension, Old Customs Cottage, Quay Street (a related listed building consent is in the round-up above), Woodbridge — permitted (DC/26/2249/FUL)
Householder — replacement porch, Cherry Tree Road, Woodbridge — permitted (DC/26/2414/FUL)
Tree works (conservation area) — pruning back to the highway boundary and cutting back beyond road signs, land off North Hill, Woodbridge — portal status Responded (DC/26/2984/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area) — pine and laurel group pruned back to fence and highway boundary, Warren Hill Road, Woodbridge — portal status Responded (DC/26/2990/TCA)
Tree works (conservation area) — fig reduced by 2 metres, Doric Place, Woodbridge — validated 6 Oct (DC/26/3460/TCA)
Tree works (TPO) — field maple fell, Pains Close, Worlingham — permitted (DC/26/2814/TPO)

Source: Public Access (publicaccess.eastsuffolk.gov.uk) — Advanced Search by date validated and by decision date, 2 to 8 October 2026; each application is linked to its own page.

YOUR MONEY

£2.1M SKILLS FUNDING FOR LOUND CIVIL CAMPUS

A project to support up to 3,000 learners over five years in engineering and construction skills needed for Sizewell C and other nationally significant infrastructure projects has been awarded £2.1m from the Asset Skills Enhancement and Capability Fund. The fund is £7.8m, secured through the Sizewell C planning process and allocated by Suffolk County Council, East Suffolk Council and Sizewell C in partnership. The Lound Civil Campus will be based at East Coast College.

Source: East Suffolk Council — Up to 3,000 learners to gain engineering and construction skills, 5 October 2026

£9,250 FROM COUNCILLORS' COMMUNITY BUDGETS FOR LOWESTOFT FESTIVAL

Ten ward councillors have jointly provided £9,250 from their Enabling Communities Budgets to support a festival of communities in Lowestoft running through October. The council reports that seventeen events have taken place so far and at least twenty more are planned in October.

Source: East Suffolk Council — Local councillors fund community-led festival in Lowestoft, 7 October 2026

JOBS & TENDERS

OPEN TENDERS

Strategic Flood Risk Assessments, Levels 1 and 2 — joint procurement with West Suffolk, Babergh, Mid Suffolk and Ipswich; closes 12 noon, 19 October 2026.
Clerk of Works, Cultural Quarter project — closes 12 noon, 9 October 2026.
Longer-running frameworks — Coastal Partnership East Coastal Management Dynamic Purchasing System (to 18 May 2028); Adaptations for Independent Living DPS (to 3 May 2031); Lowestoft DPS (to 20 April 2032).

Source: East Suffolk Council tenders — In-Tend

COUNCIL VACANCIES

Coastal Engagement Officer (part time, £32,578–£35,570 pro rata) — closes 13 October
HR Support Officer (maternity cover, £27,274–£32,046) — closes 14 October
OD Support Officer (part time, £27,274–£32,046) — closes 14 October
Independent Living Technical Officer (£35,412–£42,839) — closes 19 October
Energy Projects Community Liaison Officer (fixed term, £36,581–£39,481) — closes 25 October
Trainee / Assistant Planner (£25,598–£42,839) — closes 1 November
Financial System and Transaction Manager (£54,495–£58,809) — closes 1 November
VanESSA Driver and Project Support Officer (fixed term, £29,542–£32,046 pro rata) — closes 9 October.

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 541 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, 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. The draft policy is available in standard and easy-read versions. 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

SIZEWELL C NON-MATERIAL CHANGE — CLOSES 28 OCTOBER

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

YOUNG PEOPLE SURVEY — CLOSES 31 OCTOBER

People aged 13 to 21 can complete a five-minute survey on services and activities in their area and how safe they feel in their community. The council plans to follow it with workshops in selected schools and hopes to publish a plan by the end of November 2026. Young people — what's important to you?

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

Monday 12 October, 11.00am — Licensing Sub-Committee. CMIS meetings calendar
Tuesday 13 October, 1.00pm — Planning Committee North. CMIS meetings calendar
Thursday 15 October, 6.30pm — Overview and Scrutiny Committee. CMIS meetings calendar
Monday 19 October, 6.30pm — Licensing Committee. CMIS meetings calendar
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
Friday 23 October, 5.00pm — Pride in Place — Felixstowe West (Langer Primary Academy). CMIS meetings calendar
Tuesday 27 October, 1.00pm — Planning Committee South. CMIS meetings calendar
Thursday 22 October — Sea Link consultation closes (see Have Your Say).
Wednesday 28 October — Sizewell C re-consultation closes (see Have Your Say).
By Friday 30 October — Secretary of State decision on Sea Link expected, according to the Strategic Planning Committee's energy projects report. CMIS
October — The council's taxi specification consultation, which closed on 4 October 2026, states that comments will be reported to the Licensing Committee in October 2026. Council consultation page
Sunday 8 November — Parking charges lifted in many council car parks for five hours around Remembrance events, at times set by each town: 8am to 1pm in Aldeburgh, Felixstowe, Framlingham, Leiston, Lowestoft, Oulton Broad, Southwold, Wickham Market and Woodbridge; 1pm to 6pm in Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth and Saxmundham. East Suffolk Council — Free parking for Remembrance events
Monday 16 November, 5pm — Call for Sites closes (see Have Your Say).

HOW IT WORKS

A nationally significant infrastructure project is authorised by a Development Consent Order made by the Secretary of State, not by the local council. After an order is made, its holder can apply to change it. An application for a change judged to be non-material is made through the Planning Inspectorate, which publishes it and sets a deadline for representations. The Secretary of State decides the application. Sizewell C Limited's application to change the Sizewell C order is of this kind: it has been consulted on twice, in May to June 2026 and again from October 2026.

Source: Planning Act 2008, Schedule 6; Planning Inspectorate — Sizewell C project updates

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.