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Neighbourhood Plan

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments as part of the Regulation 14 Consultation.  The consultation period is now closed and all the comments are currently being considered.  We were pleased to receive over 200 comments offering support and improvements to the plan.

Following the consultation, an approximate timetable for the progression of the Plan is as follows:

  • April-June 2023 | Changes made to the Plan and Supporting Documents following the Regulation 14 Consultation
  • June 2023 | LNDP submitted to ESC to assess the LNDP against the basic conditions and that it conforms to the Waveney Local Plan and National Planning Policy
  • September 2023 | ESC arrange for the Regulation 16 consultation of the Examination Draft of the LNDP (six-week consultation period)
  • November/December 2023 | LNDP is submitted to the Examiner alongside the supporting documents and comments from the Regulation 16 consultation.  The Examiner will make recommendations which are submitted to ESC who may then ask LTC to make the necessary changes.
  • Spring 2024 | ESC arrange for a public referendum to determine if the LNDP is adopted.

The consultation, which was open until Tuesday 7th March, asked members of the public to submit comments on the wide range of policies that have been created to form the plan.  These policies have been strongly influenced by an initial consultation by the Town Council to find out what the people of Lowestoft think is good and bad about Lowestoft.

This public consultation, known as the Regulation 14 Consultation, is part of the process of developing the plan before it comes forward for a public referendum.  Residents are encouraged to read the plan and submit any comments on the proposed policies into the Town Council by the 7th March 2023.  The comment submission form is available to download from the Town Council website, with hard copies available at the drop-in sessions.

If you require a hard copy of the plan and submission form, please contact the Town Council offices by calling 0330 053 6019 or by writing to the Town Council at Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan (LNDP), c/o Lowestoft Town Council, Hamilton House, Battery Green Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1DE.

Neighbourhood Development Plan

Supporting Documents:


Lowestoft Town Council has been designated the whole of the parish area of Lowestoft to produce a Neighbourhood Development Plan for. The Lowestoft Neighbourhood Plan is a framework for development and regeneration of Britain's most easterly town. The town is a complex urban area comprising port, town centre, areas of deprivation, retail parks, offshore industry, as well as beaches and tourism.

The Lowestoft Neighbourhood Plan will form part of the statutory development plan for the area, together with the Waveney Local Plan. Planning applications must be determined in accordance with the statutory development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

The Lowestoft Neighbourhood Plan will be adopted by referendum and will set policies for the town for the next 15 years.

Our vision for the Lowestoft Neighbourhood Plan is to secure sustainable and high quality regeneration and economic development for Lowestoft, realising the town's potential as a vibrant and attractive place to live, work, visit and invest.

Our aims for the Neighbourhood Plan are:

  • 21st century mixed use waterfront
  • Confidence as the place to invest
  • Sustainable economy, port, town, enterprise
  • Balanced community, with range of facilities and housing
  • High quality environment
  • Heritage-led regeneration
  • Balanced and sustainable transport provision
  • Protection of local green spaces (open spaces and parks)

What are yours? We welcome your engagement as we develop the plan. Please email your thoughts to admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk and attend our engagement events which will be publicised here.

 neighbourhood plan

Neighbourhood Plans have the opportunity to designate Local Green Spaces which are of particular importance to the town. This will afford protection from development (other than in very special circumstances). Local Green Spaces should only be designated if the green space is:

  • In reasonably close proximity to the community it serves
  • Demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife 
  • Local in character and not an extensive tract of land.

As we continue to development the Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan we would be interested to hear your views on how policies to mitigate against climate change can be introduced and how the plan can deliver ‘low carbon’ policies. Should there by more cycle paths, should all new builds include electric car charging points, and should tree planting, street trees, rain gardens and green roofs be promoted through new development? In the meantime, you can calculate your own carbon footprint using a simple tool and a range of advice sheets on issues such as the use of energy monitors, electric vehicles, secondary glazing are available to download for free from the centre for sustainable energy.

We would like you to consider which open spaces you value in the Town and let us know if you would like them to be considered for designation via the emerging Plan. Email admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk