Suffolk County Council adopts new Streets Guide for building more sustainable, people-first developments

Ground-breaking new guidelines for developers to help them design sustainable and low-carbon neighbourhoods have been launched by Suffolk County Council.

The Suffolk Design: Streets Guide is the first document of its kind to prioritise walking and cycling in the routes people will use - and the infrastructure required to make them safe and attractive - over the needs of private vehicles.

The guide can also be used by highway engineers, drainage engineers and Public Rights of Way officers in responding to planning applications and in the technical review and approval of new highways infrastructure.

While not compulsory, the guide has been prepared with Suffolk’s other authorities using government policies, guidance and best practice.

It replaces the Suffolk Design Guide for Residential Areas, last updated in 2000, and has been drawn up with Stantec – a global leader in sustainable design and engineering.

In 2019, every local authority in Suffolk declared or acknowledged a climate emergency.

The design of streets has a significant role to play in the reduction of carbon emissions by prioritising walking, wheeling, cycling and access to public transport, as well as managing the effects of flooding through effective sustainable drainage systems.

By placing greater priority on designing for people as pedestrians - whether wheeled or walkers - and cyclists, the council is contributing to its ambitions for reducing carbon.

Councillor Richard Smith, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for Economic Development, Transport Strategy and Waste, said that as the authority responsible for public rights of way the council has an important role in helping the planning system support transition to a low-carbon future.

“Streets are more than just routes to travel or park, they provide places to enjoy, where people meet and socialise, they define the character of our towns and villages and support how our utilities are provided underground to our homes and businesses,” he said.

“All these different elements need careful consideration as we look forward to a low carbon future and adapt to climate change, so in this context, a street design guide needs to be much more than a prescriptive guidance document.

“It needs to provide a basis for designers to interpret and deliver streets and places that reflect much broader objectives such as increasing social value, better accessibility, helping to achieve a low carbon future, ensuring better air quality and enhanced biodiversity.”

James Cutting. Head of Planning at Suffolk County Council said: "We have been impressed with Stantec's skill and enthusiasm for partnership working in developing our design guide.

"As a partner, they fully understood our needs and requirements and developed a really innovative and exciting guide for us which rebalances the hierarchy of transport users in favour of non-car modes of transport.

"Their commitment, foresight, innovation and free thinking has been excellent and we are hoping that it model that they can replicate elsewhere."

About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.

We care about the communities we serve—because they're our communities too. This allows us to assess what's needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what's never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success.

We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

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Stantec Media Contact
Calum Metcalfe
Stantec Media Relations
Ph: +44 1612 458904
Calum.Metcalfe@stantec.com

Suffolk County Council Contacts

Councillor Richard Smith MVO (Con), Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Transport Strategy, & Waste, 01728 602714, 07545 423817, richard.smith@suffolk.gov.uk

Councillor Andrew Stringer (Green), Leader of the Green, Liberal Democrat, and Independent Group, 01449 780339, 07545 423842, andrew.stringer@suffolk.gov.uk

Councillor Sarah Adams (Lab), Leader of the Labour Group, and spokesperson for Economic Development, Infrastructure, & Finance 01473 402605, 07907 979520, sarah.adams@suffolk.gov.uk