Please note that the Suffolk Coast RAMS SPD is an Ipswich Borough Council document covering the Ipswich Local Authority area only. 

The Suffolk Coast RAMS SPD has been prepared to support the implementation of the Suffolk Coast Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (Suffolk Coast RAMS) commissioned jointly by Babergh District Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, East Suffolk Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

The coast, heaths and estuaries of Suffolk are internationally recognised wildlife assets. They include areas designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Ramsar Sites (collectively known as ‘European sites’). These habitats and the species they hold are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended).

The plan level Habitat Regulation Assessments for the local authorities identified risks to European wildlife sites because of increased pressure arising from the new housing growth. Assessing, avoiding and managing that recreation pressure is therefore an important part of planning for growth.

The Suffolk Coast Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy sets out a coordinated, cross-boundary approach to avoid and mitigate the impacts of the residential development set out in the Local Plans. The avoidance and mitigation measures will be funded via developer contributions as part of planning permissions given for new residential development.

The Suffolk Coast RAMS SPD has been prepared for developers and homeowners to support the implementation of the Strategy in Ipswich. The guidance is consistent with the Ipswich Borough Council Local Plan adopted February 2017, mainly policy CS17 Delivering Infrastructure and is an additional material consideration in planning decisions. The SPD was adopted by Ipswich Borough Council on the 19th February 2020.

Previous consultation

The Council undertook a ‘call for ideas’ public consultation on the scope and context of the Suffolk Coast RAMS SPD. This ran from 14th June 2017 to 26th July 2017.

This was followed by public consultation on the draft Suffolk Coast RAMS SPD from Wednesday 18th September to Wednesday 23rd October 2019. The comments the Council received are reproduced in the Consultation Statement together with the officer’s response indicating how the points raised have been addressed through the SPD.

Inspection of adoption documents

The Suffolk Coast RAMS SPD and documents that support it are available to view below:

• Adoption Statement (Date of notice 19th February 2020)
• Suffolk Coast RAMS SPD
• Suffolk Coast RAMS SPD Consultation Statement
• Suffolk Coast RAMS SPD Strategic Environment Screening (SEA) Report
• Suffolk Coast RAMS SPD Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Screening Report

The Habitats Regulations Assessment Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy ‘the Strategy’

Please note that the Strategy is a background technical paper in response to the Habitat Regulations Assessment findings of the Local Plan and was not be subject to formal consultation.

• Habitats Regulations Assessment Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy for Ipswich Borough, Babergh District, Mid Suffolk District and East Suffolk Councils

You can also view these documents at the following locations:

• Customer Services Centre, Town Hall, Cornhill, Ipswich (Mon-Fri 8.30am to 5.00pm)
• Ipswich County Library, Northgate Street, Ipswich (Mon, Weds, Thurs 9am to 6pm; Tues, Fri 9am to 7pm; Saturdays 8.30am to 5pm and Sundays 10am to 4pm)
• Grafton House Reception, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich (Mon-Fri 8.30am to 5.00pm)