East Suffolk planning committee
Councillor Toby Hammond
GreenSeen at planning committee from September 2025 to September 2026
- 69%attendance
- 3recorded votes
- 10agreed, no vote against recorded
- 30decisions at their meetings
- 2motions proposed
As at 8 September 2026, according to Plota’s analysis of East Suffolk’s published minutes, Councillor Toby Hammond attended 9 of the 13 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: Hammond voted for the resolution on all 3. On 3 of those votes the officers’ recommendation is known, and 1 went against it. On 10 other decisions the minutes record no vote against, so Hammond is counted as agreeing; they are left out of the shares below. Hammond proposed 2 motions the committee passed and seconded 5.
- Meetings attended
- 9 of 1369%
- 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
- 30
- 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
- 10
- Decisions the minutes record with no vote against and no count. Counted as agreeing, and left out of the shares.
- Proposed or seconded
- 2 / 5
- 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.
Attendance
69%
9 of 13 meetings whose minutes list them; apologies for 4.
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: 8 meetings · Strategic Planning Committee: 1 meeting
Show as a table
| Date | Committee | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Sep 2026 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 11 Aug 2026 | Planning Committee North | Apologies |
| 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 |
| 10 Mar 2026 | Planning Committee North | Apologies |
| 20 Jan 2026 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 12 Jan 2026 | Strategic Planning Committee | Apologies |
| 9 Dec 2025 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 11 Nov 2025 | Planning Committee North | Present |
| 31 Oct 2025 | Strategic Planning Committee | Apologies |
| 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
- 8A Hartington Road Aldeburgh SuffolkRear first-floor extension · DC/25/3064/FULSeconded the motion 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/LBC 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/FULProposed the motion 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/FULSeconded the motion Approved ForNo vote against recorded
- 99-99A High Street Lowestoft SuffolkTimber windows and shopfronts · DC/25/4438/FULSeconded the motion 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/RG3Seconded the motion 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/FULProposed the motion 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/FUL 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/FULSeconded 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
- St Margarets Church Hollingsworth Road Lowestoft SuffolkReplacement timber fence · DC/25/2810/FUL 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 Hammond 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, 11 Nov 2025, 9 Sep 2025, 9 Jun 2026
- Heritage11 Nov 2025, 11 Nov 2025
- Neighbours and amenity11 Nov 2025, 9 Sep 2025
- Housing need and affordable homes20 Jan 2026, 8 Sep 2026
- Parking and traffic8 Sep 2026
- Flooding and drainage8 Sep 2026
- Spoke as ward councillor
“Councillor Hammond spoke as Ward Member asking the Committee to refuse or at least defer.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Spring Park London Road Willingham St Mary Suffolk - Spoke on highway safety
“Councillor Hammond concluded by requesting refusal of the application or, alternatively, deferral pending resolution of the highways objection, further assessment against the Neighbourhood Development Plan, and clarification of drainage arrangements.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Spring Park London Road Willingham St Mary Suffolk - Seconded
“She recommended approval and this was seconded by Councillor Hammond.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, 42 Kirkley Park Road Lowestoft Suffolk - Asked about affordable housing
“Councillor Hammond sought clarification on the affordable housing calculations, querying why the affordable housing requirement was based on an alternative scheme of nine houses rather than the proposed 36 apartments.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Land South Of Sole Bay Health Centre Teal Close Reydon Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Hammond asked whether a developer could simply propose a single dwelling with a large garden to reduce the benchmark land value.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Land South Of Sole Bay Health Centre Teal Close Reydon Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Hammond queried whether the Committee could refuse the application simply because it disagreed with the Alternative Use Value (AUV) figure, and whether that would be defensible.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Land South Of Sole Bay Health Centre Teal Close Reydon Suffolk - Spoke
“Councillor Hammond said that refusing the application would send a clear public message that the Committee did not accept the Alternative Use Value (AUV) that had been relied upon.”
Minutes, 8 Sep 2026, Land South Of Sole Bay Health Centre Teal Close Reydon Suffolk - Spoke
“Councillor Hammond referred to the applicant’s offer to enlarge the window and whether that could be considered.”
Minutes, 9 Jun 2026, 8A Hartington Road Aldeburgh Suffolk - Spoke on design and scale
“Councillor Hammond considered the impact on the back garden more significant than on the landing, describing the proposal as overdevelopment of the garden.”
Minutes, 9 Jun 2026, 8A Hartington Road Aldeburgh Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Hammond asked about the size of the settlement and for clarification as to what constituted a cluster for a community and whether this could be defined as infill.”
Minutes, 12 May 2026, Land And Buildings At North Green Farm North Green Kelsale Cum Carlton Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Hammond asked as there was existing consent for the neighbouring property, could that be shown on the map to ensure they were being consistent with their views.”
Minutes, 12 May 2026, Land And Buildings At North Green Farm North Green Kelsale Cum Carlton Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Hammond asked the Planner to confirm that the protective barriers were there for safety reasons due to the heavy batteries and the potential fire risk.”
Minutes, 14 Apr 2026, Leiston Sports Centre Red House Lane Leiston Suffolk - Seconded
“On the proposal of Councillor Ashdown, seconded by Councillor Hammond.”
Minutes, 14 Apr 2026, Leiston Sports Centre Red House Lane Leiston Suffolk - Moved the motion
“On the proposal of Councillor Hammond, seconded by Councillor Gee”
Minutes, 14 Apr 2026, 1 North End St James Road South Elmham All Saints Halesworth Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Hammond asked for clarity on the replacement of dwellings. He asked if they were residential rather than holiday lets if these properties would not be permitted.”
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 about design and scale
“Councillor Hammond asked about the scale of development.”
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 on design and scale
“Councillor Hammond noted that one of the three reasons stated for refusal on the original application was due to scale. He asked if there was anything to be done to address the mismatch of scale because of the additional size allowed under permitted development rights and if that was a valid reason for objection last time.”
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 Hammond felt landowners up and down the coast would be happy if we approved this application. He asked if it would set a precedent if it was approved.”
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 Hammond agreed.”
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 Hammond argued that this was not a replacement.”
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 on design and scale
“Councillor Hammond said policy WLP8.29 was relevant as this application does not fit with the overall scale and clarity.”
Minutes, 20 Jan 2026, Land To The Rear Of Larks Rising Easton Lane IP18 6SS And The Warren Easton Lane Easton Bavents Reydon Suffolk - Raised concerns
“Councillor Hammond was concerned that the previous windows were put in 10-15 years ago which didn’t seem very long. He asked about the quality of the replacement windows.”
Minutes, 20 Jan 2026, 33-41 Puddingmoor Beccles Suffolk - Seconded
“On the proposal of Councillor Ashton, seconded by Councillor Hammond”
Minutes, 20 Jan 2026, 33-41 Puddingmoor Beccles Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Hammond asked for clear vernacular to be elaborated on.”
Minutes, 9 Dec 2025, Woodleys The Common Southwold Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Hammond asked if any individual household measures had been applied to slow down the flow, eg water butts.”
Minutes, 11 Nov 2025, Land Adjoining 20 Manor Park Road Corton Suffolk - Seconded
“This revised recommendation was proposed by the Chair and seconded by Councillor Hammond”
Minutes, 11 Nov 2025, Land Adjoining 20 Manor Park Road Corton Suffolk - Spoke on design and scale
“Councillor Hammond agreed with what has been said and thought the design could have been different. He pointed the Committee to Historic England comments, encouraging the applicant to reconsider a more sympathetic design.”
Minutes, 11 Nov 2025, 17 Market Place Southwold Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Hammond asked the representative to expand on her view that it was not a hotel, he asked where that assumption was from. She replied that they got that assumption from the number of events talked about, the number of guests, the size of the property and other properties where you could only hire the whole house.”
Minutes, 11 Nov 2025, Cockfield Hall Station Road Yoxford Saxmundham Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Hammond asked if what was proposed was exclusively a private hire venue would that be C1 class or something else?”
Minutes, 11 Nov 2025, Cockfield Hall Station Road Yoxford Saxmundham Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Hammond asked if the rooms were never actually marketed, would that be in breach of their use class.”
Minutes, 11 Nov 2025, Cockfield Hall Station Road Yoxford Saxmundham Suffolk
The 30 most recent of 37 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
- Paul Geoffrey AshdownConservative
- 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
- Mike DeaconLabour