Ferguson Way, Kesgrave, IP5 2FZ | 01473 625 179
Planning & Development
13 July 2026
6.15pm
13 July 2026
6.15pm
Ferguson Way, Kesgrave, IP5 2FZ | 01473 625 179
Present: Councillor Rod Gibson (Chair), Councillor Neal Beecroft-Smith, Councillor Jonathan Ogden, Councillor Dr John Ling, Councillor Alastair Cook.
In attendance: Joanna Abbott (Town Clerk), one member of the public.
Apologies: Councillor Avtar Athwall.
The meeting commenced at 6.15pm.
The Chair read the emergency evacuation procedure.
1. Welcome and Apologies for Absence
The Chair welcomed all attendees. Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor Avtar Athwall.
2. Declaration of Interests
Councillors Rod Gibson, Neal Beecroft-Smith, Jonathan Ogden, Dr John Ling, and Alastair Cook declared that they had no interests.
3. Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 29 June 2026
Resolved: It was unanimously agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2026 were a true and accurate record. The Chair signed the minutes.
4. Clerks/Officer Report/Update
The Town Clerk reported on a new consultation regarding the draft East Suffolk Tree and Hedgerow Strategy, noting that she had circulated a summary of the lengthy document. It was considered that the strategy was in line with the Town Council's existing practices and policies.
Resolved: It was agreed that the Town Clerk would respond to East Suffolk Council stating the Town Council's support for the new strategy.
5. Members of the Public
The Chair welcomed the member of the public and outlined the Council's procedure for public participation. The member of the public present did not wish to raise any matters.
6. Copy Letters of Objection/In Support/Observations
The Town Clerk confirmed that no letters had been received.
7. Schedule of Planning Proposals
a. DC/26/2122/FUL, 37 Holly Road - Construction of Self Build Replacement Dwelling (amended design to approval 24/3372/FUL)
Members discussed the application, noting the comments from the Highways authority regarding the loss of a garage and the requirement for adequate parking and cycle storage provision.
Resolved: The Committee unanimously agreed to raise no objection, subject to compliance with the requirements set out by the Highways authority in regard to parking and storage arrangements.
b. DC/26/2103/FUL, 39 Main Road - 1.5 Storey Rear Extension.
The proposal was considered to be a typical extension for a property on Main Road, situated on a large plot with no significant impact on neighbouring properties.
Resolved: The Committee unanimously agreed to raise no objection.
c. DC/26/2247/FUL, 10 Jackson Close - Alterations, single storey rear extension and garage conversion to form utility.
Members noted that the proposal was close to permitted development rights. A concern was raised regarding the installation of a new wood burner in the single-storey extension and the potential for smoke to affect neighbouring properties.
Resolved: The Committee unanimously agreed to raise no objection but to include an observation requesting the Local Planning Authority consider the potential impact of the proposed wood burner on neighbouring amenity.
8. Schedule of Planning Decisions
It was noted that no planning decisions had been issued by East Suffolk Council in the previous fortnight.
9. Possible Referral to Planning Committee (LPA) as opposed to Officer Delegated
The Town Clerk confirmed there were no applications to be referred.
10. Housing Enabling Strategy for East Suffolk Council - External Survey
The Committee discussed the survey and considered it more effective to submit the Council's own recently completed Housing Needs Analysis rather than completing the survey.
Resolved: It was agreed that the Town Clerk would respond on the Council's behalf by submitting the Kesgrave Community Survey and Housing Needs Analysis, and would state that the Council would not be completing the survey form.
11. Neighbourhood Plan
a. Little Bealings Neighbourhood Plan Consultation
The consultation was received and noted, the Clerk will respond to ESC confirming this committees support for the provised plan.
b. KTC Neighbourhood Plan Policy Usage Statistics
The statistics were received and noted.
12. Other/Urgent Communications
There were no urgent communications.
13. Suggestions for the Press and Social Media
The Committee discussed a proposal to publish brief summaries of meetings on the Council's social media channels to improve public engagement and direct residents to the full minutes on the website.
Resolved: It was unanimously agreed to proceed with creating and publishing summaries of meetings on social media.
14. Next Meeting
The next meeting was confirmed for Monday 27 July 2026 at 6.15pm. It was noted that the Town Clerk would be absent and Councillor Neal Beecroft-Smith would take the notes.
15. Agenda Items for Next Meeting
Members were requested to notify the Town Clerk of any items for the next agenda.
The meeting closed at 6.55pm.
Please note that the Council uses AI to transcribe audio recordings of our meetings to assist in generating minutes. These drafts undergo a thorough human review and correction process by Council staff to ensure the accuracy of the final record.