Question 1

How many houses were built in Stradbroke between 1996 and 2016?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 170 new houses: including Drapers Hill, Farriers Close, Meadow Way and Ash Plough, alongside 10 to 15 barn conversions and the 11 office units on New Street

Question 2

Why can’t Stradbroke just say no to new development?

Accepted Answer

The government has set targets for new development.  Mid Suffolk District Council will be set a target and in turn they will tell Parishes what needs to be built to meet that target. Stradbroke will be required to develop as much housing in the next 20 years as it has over the last 20 years. Without a plan Stradbroke will be in a weaker position when trying to manage future development.

Question 3

Why does Stradbroke need a Neighbourhood Plan?

Accepted Answer

A Plan guides where the development takes place by allocating sites, and influences the types of housing Stradbroke needs including starter homes and affordable family homes; and houses for people who want to down size.  A developer has to pay money to Mid Suffolk for every home it builds (CIL) and if Stradbroke has a plan it will claim 25% of this, which is a lot of money over 20 years.  Stradbroke will decide how to use this money to improve the parish.  Knowing the future plan will encourage shops and businesses to stay and expand services and employment opportunities.

Question 4

What happens if Stradbroke doesn’t have a Neighbourhood Plan?

Accepted Answer

Stradbroke would have little control or influence as to where or how much future development will occur.  Stradbroke would not be able to guide what type of housing the development would bring to ensure the needs of the parish are met. Without a plan Stradbroke can only keep 15% of developer payments (CIL) and would have less control over how they are spent

Question 5

How does the plan get adopted?

Accepted Answer

Mid Suffolk will arrange a referendum.
This is the question the residents of Stradbroke will be asked:
“Do you want Mid Suffolk District Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Stradbroke to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood plan area?”

Question 6

Can the infrastructure (schools, doctors etc) cope?"

Accepted Answer

Expert advice has been sought and received to ensure the development can be supported and this was an important factor in the site selection process.  Your Neighbourhood Plan working group took advice from the following agencies: NHS, Suffolk County Council, UK Power Networks, Anglian Water and the Environment Agency. The plan is designed to bring structured growth to village and ensure that the infrastructure is capable of supporting the growth.
By planning for different types of housing the plan allows for the children from up to 250 new homes; the maximum that Suffolk County Council say the schools can accommodate.

Question 7

Who monitors and reviews the plan?

Accepted Answer

The Parish Council will continually monitor development and will review the Plan on a regular basis. Formal reviews with Mid Suffolk will take place at a minimum of every 5 years.

Question 8

What is meant by 'Affordable Housing' in the Plan?

Accepted Answer

Housing provided by bodies such as local councils and housing associations.
It does not mean houses that are “affordable” on the open market; these are referred to as low cost market housing or starter homes.

Question 9

What is CIL and what are the advantages of it?

Accepted Answer

CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) is a planning charge paid by the developer to help deliver infrastructure to support the development of the area. 
Mid Suffolk do keep some but Stradbroke will get an amount directly.
It can be spent in many ways such as:
Physical infrastructure: e.g. highways, transport links, cycle ways, energy supply, water, flood alleviation,
Social infrastructure: e.g. education, health, social care, emergency services, art and culture, sports halls, community halls
Green infrastructure: e.g. play areas, public open space

Question 10

Are green spaces under threat with these proposed developments?

Accepted Answer

There is a policy in the Plan to protect the identified green spaces; Westhall and play area, Village Gardens and Allotments, playing field including bowling green.

Stradbroke
Parish Council

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