East Suffolk planning committee
Councillor Paul Geoffrey Ashdown
ConservativeSeen at planning committee from September 2025 to September 2026
- 100%attendance
- 3recorded votes
- 15agreed, no vote against recorded
- 40decisions at their meetings
- 6motions proposed
As at 8 September 2026, according to Plota’s analysis of East Suffolk’s published minutes, Councillor Paul Geoffrey Ashdown attended 15 of the 15 planning committee meetings whose minutes list them, from September 2025 to September 2026. Each member's vote is recorded on 3 decisions at those meetings: Ashdown voted for the resolution on all 3. On 3 of those votes the officers’ recommendation is known, and 1 went against it. On 15 other decisions the minutes record no vote against, so Ashdown is counted as agreeing; they are left out of the shares below. Ashdown proposed 6 motions the committee passed and seconded 2.
- Meetings attended
- 15 of 15100%
- Meetings whose minutes list them as present, sending apologies or absent. Minutes that list only those present cannot show an absence.
- Decisions at their meetings
- 40
- Applications decided at the meetings they sat on, as the minutes record them.
- Recorded votes
- 3
- Decisions where the minutes, the council's recorded vote or the meeting's recording give each member's vote: 3 for, 0 against, 0 abstained.
- Agreed, no vote against recorded
- 15
- Decisions the minutes record with no vote against and no count. Counted as agreeing, and left out of the shares.
- Proposed or seconded
- 6 / 2
- Motions the minutes say they proposed, then seconded, that the committee passed.
- Declared interests
- 0
- Decisions on which the minutes record them declaring an interest.
Voting record
Votes by quarter
Not drawn: 3 recorded votes is too few to show a pattern over time.
Against officer advice
Not drawn: 3 recorded votes with a known officers’ recommendation is too few to compare.
Agreement with other members
Not drawn: the minutes record no divided vote of this councillor by name. On a unanimous vote every member agrees, so it says nothing about agreement.
Motions they proposed
5 of the 6 motions Ashdown proposed were to approve, 1 to defer.
The outcome of each motion the minutes say Ashdown proposed and the committee passed.
Attendance
100%
15 of 15 meetings whose minutes list them.
The typical member of this committee attended 92% (the median of 20 members listed at 5 or more meetings).
Every meeting
Each square is a meeting whose minutes list them, oldest first.
Planning Committee North: 10 meetings · Strategic Planning Committee: 5 meetings
Show as a table
| Date | Committee | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Sep 2026 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 11 Aug 2026 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 6 Jul 2026 | Strategic Planning Committee | Present |
| 9 Jun 2026 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 12 May 2026 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 14 Apr 2026 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 13 Apr 2026 | Strategic Planning Committee | Present |
| 10 Mar 2026 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 20 Jan 2026 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 12 Jan 2026 | Strategic Planning Committee | Present |
| 9 Dec 2025 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 11 Nov 2025 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 31 Oct 2025 | Strategic Planning Committee | Present |
| 6 Oct 2025 | Strategic Planning Committee | Present |
| 9 Sep 2025 | Planning Committee North | Present |
Decisions
Every application decided at a meeting they sat on, newest first, with their vote where the minutes give it.
- Land South Of Sole Bay Health Centre Teal Close Reydon Suffolk36 retirement apartments · DC/25/2677/FUL RefusedAgainst officer advice Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Birds Eye Ltd Whapload Road Lowestoft SuffolkSprinkler water tank · DC/26/2115/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- 42 Kirkley Park Road Lowestoft SuffolkReplacement windows · DC/26/1652/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Corner Of Elim Terrace And Factory Street Lowestoft SuffolkSix affordable homes · DC/26/2260/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Spring Park London Road Willingham St Mary SuffolkFour holiday mobile homes · DC/26/0999/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Land South Of Sole Bay Health Centre Teal Close Reydon Suffolk36 retirement apartments · DC/25/2677/FUL Deferred Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Pakefield Holiday Village London Road Gisleham Lowestoft Suffolk340 touring caravan pitches · DC/25/3078/FULProposed the motion Deferred Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Land To Rear Of 3 & 4 Hogg Lane Ilketshall St Lawrence SuffolkSmallholding with animal shelters · DC/25/4145/FUL Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- 7 Windsor Road Lowestoft SuffolkRaised rear decking · DC/26/1629/FUL Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- Beech Tree Farm East Green Kelsale Cum Carlton Saxmundham SuffolkListed building alterations · DC/26/1386/LBC Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- Beech Tree Farm East Green Kelsale Cum Carlton Saxmundham SuffolkListed building alterations · DC/26/1385/FULProposed the motion Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- Pier Pavilion North Parade Southwold Suffolk11 holiday rooms · DC/25/4341/FUL Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- 8A Hartington Road Aldeburgh SuffolkRear first-floor extension · DC/25/3064/FUL RefusedAgainst officer advice For refusalAll members present in favour
- Verge At Fountain Way Reydon SuffolkMicro energy storage facility · DC/26/0924/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- St Michaels Church Tower The Walk Beccles SuffolkReplacement flagpole · DC/26/0913/RG3 Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- St Michaels Church Tower The Walk Beccles SuffolkFlagpole replacement · DC/26/0914/LBCSeconded the motion Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- Pier Pavilion North Parade Southwold SuffolkTrampoline and paybooth · DC/26/0482/FUL Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- Land And Buildings At North Green Farm North Green Kelsale Cum Carlton SuffolkOne self-build dwelling · DC/26/0438/FUL Refused For refusalNo vote against recorded
- 1 North End St James Road South Elmham All Saints Halesworth SuffolkTwo-storey side extension · DC/26/0512/FUL Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- 18 June Avenue Lowestoft SuffolkStep lift and platform · DC/26/0110/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Leiston Sports Centre Red House Lane Leiston SuffolkLeisure centre energy works · DC/25/4727/FULProposed the motion Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- 1 St Andrews Road Beccles SuffolkGarden land and boundary wall · DC/25/4514/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Land East Of Peach House Wentworth Road AldeburghSingle-storey self-build home · DC/25/4106/FULProposed the motion Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- 99-99A High Street Lowestoft SuffolkTimber windows and shopfronts · DC/25/4438/FUL Approved ForAll members present in favour
- 70 - 72 High Street Lowestoft SuffolkTraditional shopfront repairs · DC/25/4557/FUL Approved ForAll members present in favour
- 33-41 Puddingmoor Beccles SuffolkReplacement windows · DC/25/3663/RG3 Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Land To The Rear Of Larks Rising Easton Lane IP18 6SS And The Warren Easton Lane Easton Bavents Reydon SuffolkFour replacement homes · DC/25/3322/FUL RefusedAgainst officer advice Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Woodleys The Common Southwold SuffolkReplacement home and pool · DC/25/1867/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Cockfield Hall Estate Station Road Yoxford SuffolkNorth lake · DC/23/4866/FULSeconded the motion Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- Cockfield Hall Estate Station Road Yoxford Saxmundham SuffolkWalled garden alterations · DC/23/4867/FUL Deferred Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Cockfield Hall Station Road Yoxford Saxmundham Suffolk37 tourism cottages · DC/23/4864/OUT Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Cockfield Hall Station Road Yoxford Saxmundham SuffolkCockfield Hall hotel conversion · DC/24/2469/LBC Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- Cockfield Hall Station Road Yoxford Saxmundham Suffolk16-bedroom hotel · DC/24/2468/FULProposed the motion Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- 17 Market Place Southwold SuffolkSmall dwelling conversion · DC/25/0567/LBC RefusedAgainst officer advice Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- 17 Market Place Southwold SuffolkTwo-bedroom dwelling · DC/25/0179/FUL RefusedAgainst officer advice Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Land Adjoining 20 Manor Park Road Corton SuffolkSelf-build chalet dwelling · DC/25/3049/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Former Jeld Wen Factory Waveney Drive Lowestoft Suffolk500 homes, employment and early years · DC/24/2381/OUT Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- St Margarets Church Hollingsworth Road Lowestoft SuffolkReplacement timber fence · DC/25/2810/FULProposed the motion Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Oak Hill Halesworth Road Wenhaston With Mells Hamlet Halesworth SuffolkBungalow conversion · DC/25/1637/FUL Refused For refusalUnanimous vote
- Blyth Manor Blyth Estate Brick Kiln Lane Huntingfield SuffolkUnderground HVAC plant room · DC/25/1460/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
No decision matches these filters.
In the minutes
What the minutes record Ashdown moving, seconding, asking or saying on each decision, in the minutes’ own words. Passages that name more than one councillor, or a member of the public, are left out.
Subjects in what the minutes record
- Design, scale and character20 Jan 2026, 9 Sep 2025, 9 Jun 2026
- Parking and traffic11 Nov 2025, 8 Sep 2026
- Flooding and drainage11 Nov 2025, 8 Sep 2026
- Housing need and affordable homes10 Mar 2026, 8 Sep 2026
- Heritage11 Nov 2025
- Neighbours and amenity31 Oct 2025
- Trees and nature9 Jun 2026
- Asked a question
“Councillor Ashdown asked whether the 56-day occupancy restriction applied to the entire site or only to the four proposed caravans, and where the occupancy register would be kept.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Spring Park London Road Willingham St Mary Suffolk - Asked about flooding and drainage
“Councillor Ashdown asked for clarification on the drainage situation.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Spring Park London Road Willingham St Mary Suffolk - Spoke
“The Planning Officer advised that they were not sure of that, Councillor Ashdown noted that the public house was currently closed.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Spring Park London Road Willingham St Mary Suffolk - Spoke
“Councillor Ashdown said should the Committee approve the application following its deliberations, they would like a recommendation to be made that the Council’s enforcement team regularly inspect the occupancy register to ensure compliance with the holiday-use restriction and to prevent unauthorised residential occupation.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Spring Park London Road Willingham St Mary Suffolk - Spoke on parking
“Councillor Ashdown said he had reviewed the application and noted that parking was available alongside the caravans, he suggested that a condition should be added for cycle storage and a regular check of the register for compliance.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Spring Park London Road Willingham St Mary Suffolk - Asked about design and scale
“Councillor Ashdown asked about the timescale for delivering the development.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Corner Of Elim Terrace And Factory Street Lowestoft Suffolk - Spoke
“Councillor Ashdown referred to a similar situation with Hopkins homes in Halesworth, where they used an overage clause on their S106 agreement – he asked could this not happen here.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Land South Of Sole Bay Health Centre Teal Close Reydon Suffolk - Moved approval
“Councillor Ashdown proposed approval, this was seconded by Councillor Wakeling”
Minutes, 11 Aug 2026, Beech Tree Farm East Green Kelsale Cum Carlton Saxmundham Suffolk - Spoke
“Councillor Ashdown said he would like to enforce the no right turn into the site coming from the south on the A12 and 100 bus movements a day concerned him. He said it would impact on the children being taken to and from school in Lowestoft and they needed to be able to monitor this.”
Minutes, 11 Aug 2026, Pakefield Holiday Village London Road Gisleham Lowestoft Suffolk - Spoke on a site visit
“Councillor Ashdown suggested that as SZC couldn’t be bothered to come today and they had questions they would like to put to them he would like to request a site visit.”
Minutes, 11 Aug 2026, Pakefield Holiday Village London Road Gisleham Lowestoft Suffolk - Moved the motion
“On the proposal of Councillor Ashdown, seconded by Councillor Robinson”
Minutes, 11 Aug 2026, Pakefield Holiday Village London Road Gisleham Lowestoft Suffolk - Spoke
“Councillor Ashdown referred to a McCarthy and Stone development in Halesworth that had received planning permission several years earlier but had not been built out, and asked whether a similar situation could arise if permission were granted for this site.”
Minutes, 11 Aug 2026, Land South Of Sole Bay Health Centre Teal Close Reydon Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Ashdown asked about the paperwork that was submitted from the applicant regarding the light assessment and what time of the day the images were taken.”
Minutes, 9 Jun 2026, 8A Hartington Road Aldeburgh Suffolk - Asked about trees and wildlife
“Councillor Ashdown asked if there was anything to prevent the future planting of trees/shrubs.”
Minutes, 9 Jun 2026, 8A Hartington Road Aldeburgh Suffolk - Spoke
“Councillor Ashdown noted that light and shadow diagrams showed impacts similar to those already caused by an existing shed.”
Minutes, 9 Jun 2026, 8A Hartington Road Aldeburgh Suffolk - Asked about a site visit
“Councillor Ashdown asked if it would be appropriate to have a site visit.”
Minutes, 9 Jun 2026, 8A Hartington Road Aldeburgh Suffolk - Spoke on design and scale
“Councillor Ashdown commented that he liked the design of the new property but it was not in the right location.”
Minutes, 9 Jun 2026, 8A Hartington Road Aldeburgh Suffolk - Spoke on the conditions
“Councillor Ashdown said he had no problem in recommending approval , there were conditions in place that would deal with the health and safety concerns raised by Southwold Town Council.”
Minutes, 12 May 2026, Pier Pavilion North Parade Southwold Suffolk - Seconded
“On the proposal of Councillor Plummer, seconded by Councillor Ashdown”
Minutes, 12 May 2026, St Michaels Church Tower The Walk Beccles Suffolk - Moved the motion
“On the proposal of Councillor Ashdown, seconded by Councillor Hammond.”
Minutes, 14 Apr 2026, Leiston Sports Centre Red House Lane Leiston Suffolk - Asked about affordable housing
“Councillor Ashdown queried that he mentioned the Council’s housing stock and asked if this will be affordable or an independent dwelling.”
Minutes, 10 Mar 2026, Land East Of Peach House Wentworth Road Aldeburgh - Asked a question
“Councillor Ashdown asked for clarification on why it was being recommended for approval when all other schemes have been refused.”
Minutes, 10 Mar 2026, Land East Of Peach House Wentworth Road Aldeburgh - Asked a question
“Councillor Ashdown asked if the applicant will be living there as it is self-build.”
Minutes, 10 Mar 2026, Land East Of Peach House Wentworth Road Aldeburgh - Spoke
“Councillor Ashdown said he was sceptical about what it would and wouldn’t be but he has been reassured by the officers and agent.”
Minutes, 10 Mar 2026, Land East Of Peach House Wentworth Road Aldeburgh - Moved the motion
“On the proposal of Councillor Ashdown, seconded by Councillor Pitchers”
Minutes, 10 Mar 2026, Land East Of Peach House Wentworth Road Aldeburgh - Asked a question
“Councillor Ashdown asked if access to the garage was from the other side, the opposite end to wall.”
Minutes, 10 Mar 2026, 1 St Andrews Road Beccles Suffolk - Asked about design and scale
“Councillor Ashdown asked how the height of 9m sat with the surrounding farm buildings.”
Minutes, 20 Jan 2026, Land To The Rear Of Larks Rising Easton Lane IP18 6SS And The Warren Easton Lane Easton Bavents Reydon Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Ashdown asked for clarity about Copperwheat as the applicant said they weren’t offered any plots there.”
Minutes, 20 Jan 2026, Land To The Rear Of Larks Rising Easton Lane IP18 6SS And The Warren Easton Lane Easton Bavents Reydon Suffolk - Spoke
“Councillor Ashdown said he was in a mind to approve because of our policies and what is included in the Planning Inspector’s report. He doesn’t like it but he was prepared to recommend approval.”
Minutes, 20 Jan 2026, Land To The Rear Of Larks Rising Easton Lane IP18 6SS And The Warren Easton Lane Easton Bavents Reydon Suffolk - Moved approval
“On the proposal of Councillor Ashdown, seconded by Councillor Ashton, the recommendation to approve the application failed.”
Minutes, 20 Jan 2026, Land To The Rear Of Larks Rising Easton Lane IP18 6SS And The Warren Easton Lane Easton Bavents Reydon Suffolk
The 30 most recent of 41 are shown.
How this is worked out
Everything here is read from East Suffolk’s published planning committee minutes, 24 meetings from September 2025 to September 2026. A councillor is matched across meetings by the council’s own member number where it has one, otherwise by full name.
Each vote shows how it is known. Named in the minutes: the minutes, or the council’s own recorded vote, list each member with their vote. From the count and the names: the minutes give the numbers and name the members in the minority, and every member present is known. All members present in favour: the minutes say every member voted for it and the members present are known. No vote against recorded: the minutes record the decision with no vote against, no abstention and no count, at a council whose minutes print a divided vote when there is one, so each member present is counted for. Unanimous vote: the minutes call the decision unanimous, or give a count with no one against and no one abstaining, and each member present is counted for. From the meeting recording: the vote was heard on the council’s recording of the meeting and closes exactly with the members present. Where none of these holds, the vote is left as “Not recorded” and is not counted.
Votes are on the resolution the committee passed, so a vote for is a vote with the majority. A vote is a decision on the application in front of the committee, not a statement of the councillor’s views. A percentage is shown only with five or more votes, decisions or meetings behind it.
Source: Plota analysis of the council’s minutes. The party is the one they were elected for, from Democracy Club’s open election results.
Also on this committee
- Sarah PlummerGreen
- Lee ReevesLib Dem
- Malcolm PitchersLabour
- Colin Stanley HedgleyConservative
- Graham Reginald ParkerLabour
- Paul Richard AshtonLib Dem
- Seamus BennettLib Dem
- Andrée Marise Diana GeeConservative
- Mike NinnmeyLib Dem
- Tom DalyGreen
- David BeavanLib Dem
- Geoffrey Ian David WakelingGreen
- John FisherIndependent
- Rosie SmithsonLabour
- Toby HammondGreen
- Mike DeaconLabour