Supplementary Planning Documents & Guidance

A Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is a guide for how to carry out Local Plan policies.

SPDs give detailed information on specific sites or issues, such as design.

They are not part of the statutory development plan. But they are material considerations in planning decisions.

Biodiversity and Trees SPD (Adopted March 2025)

We adopted the SPD on 20 March 2025. The SPD provides guidance on biodiversity and trees within development proposals. This supports planning policies in the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan, Part 1 (2018-2037 Development Plan, dated November 2023).

• Biodiversity and Trees SPD
• Adoption Statement
• Consultation Statement

Housing SPD (Adopted November 2024)

We adopted the SPD on 19 November 2024.

The SPD provides guidance on proposals for housing needs and affordable housing delivery.

This supports housing policies in the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan, Part 1 (2018-2037 Development Plan, dated November 2023).

• Housing SPD
• Adoption Statement
• Consultation Statement

Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming SPD (Adopted November 2024)

We adopted the SPD on 19 November 2024.

The SPD provides guidance on proposals for assessing the impacts of intensive livestock, and poultry units.

This supports Policy LP14 in the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan, Part 1 (2018-2037 Development Plan, dated November 2023).

• Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming SPD
• Adoption Statement
• Consultation Statement

Current Guidance

• Suffolk County Council Parking Standards Supplementary Guidance (2014)
• Supplementary Planning Guidance on Provision of Outdoor Recreation Facilities & Open Space (2010)
• View further information about developer contributions to infrastructure

Suffolk Design Guide for Residential Areas

The Suffolk Design Guide for Residential Areas was originally published in 1993, and then revised in 2000.

It provides guidance on achieving high-quality residential design - including layout, character, materials, streetscape, and amenity.

Policy LP24 of the Joint Local Plan (2023) says that planning applications should take the Guide into account, when demonstrating good design and layout.

Planning Position Statements

Babergh District Council currently has one adopted Planning Position Statement, which addresses Renewable and Low Carbon Energy.

This was adopted by the Council at its Council meeting on 23 July 2024. The Statement sets out the Council’s position on renewable and low carbon energy developments.