
West Suffolk planning committee
Councillor Jim Thorndyke
IndependentSeen at planning committee from June 2025 to September 2026
- 87%attendance
- 21agreed, no vote against recorded
- 37decisions at their meetings
As at 2 September 2026, according to Plota’s analysis of West Suffolk’s published minutes, Councillor Jim Thorndyke attended 13 of the 15 planning committee meetings whose minutes list them, from June 2025 to September 2026. On 21 other decisions the minutes record no vote against, so Thorndyke is counted as agreeing; they are left out of the shares below.
- Meetings attended
- 13 of 1587%
- 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
- 37
- Applications decided at the meetings they sat on, as the minutes record them.
- Agreed, no vote against recorded
- 21
- Decisions the minutes record with no vote against and no count. Counted as agreeing, and left out of the shares.
- Declared interests
- 0
- Decisions on which the minutes record them declaring an interest.
Voting record
The minutes we hold do not give each member's vote at these meetings, so no vote is counted for Thorndyke and no voting chart is drawn.
Attendance
87%
13 of 15 meetings whose minutes list them; apologies for 2.
The typical member of this committee attended 87% (the median of 17 members listed at 5 or more meetings).
Every meeting
Each square is a meeting whose minutes list them, oldest first.
Development Control Committee: 13 meetings
Show as a table
| Date | Committee | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sep 2026 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 5 Aug 2026 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 1 Jul 2026 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 3 Jun 2026 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 29 Apr 2026 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 1 Apr 2026 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 4 Mar 2026 | Development Control Committee | Apologies |
| 4 Feb 2026 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 7 Jan 2026 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 3 Dec 2025 | Development Control Committee | Apologies |
| 5 Nov 2025 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 3 Sep 2025 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 6 Aug 2025 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 9 Jul 2025 | Development Control Committee | Present |
| 4 Jun 2025 | Development Control Committee | Present |
Decisions
Every application decided at a meeting they sat on, newest first, with their vote where the minutes give it.
- West Suffolk Operational Hub Bury Road Fornham St Martin Bury St Edmunds SuffolkOperational hub expansion · DC/26/0891/HYB Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Hatchfield Farm Fordham Road Newmarket SuffolkThree commercial units · DC/26/0683/RM Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- 9 Short Brackland Bury St Edmunds SuffolkTwo heat pumps and door · DC/26/0963/FUL Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Land North Of Rougham Hill Bury St Edmunds SuffolkSupermarket and drive-through · DC/25/1065/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Land South Of Knox Lane Bardwell Suffolk42MW solar farm · DC/25/0980/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- West Suffolk Operational Hub Bury Road Fornham St Martin SuffolkWaste transfer area changes · DC/26/0487/VAR Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Development Site Stoke Road Clare SuffolkOne dwelling · DC/26/0283/FUL Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Land Off Crown Lane Crown Lane Ixworth Suffolk187 homes and primary school · DC/25/0666/HYB Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Land Opposite Kingshall Farmhouse Kingshall Street Rougham SuffolkBus stop condition variation · DC/26/0708/VAR Approved ForUnanimous vote
- 14 Prospect Row Bury St Edmunds Suffolk35 projecting signs · DC/26/0228/ADV RefusedAgainst officer advice For refusalUnanimous vote
- Land North Of Rougham Hill Bury St Edmunds SuffolkSupermarket and drive-through restaurant · DC/25/1065/FUL RefusedAgainst officer advice Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Land North East Of Bury St Edmunds Bury Road Great Barton SuffolkTemporary construction access · DC/26/0057/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Former St James Ceva Middle School The Vinefields Bury St Edmunds Suffolk23-home school redevelopment · DC/23/0600/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- St Marys Church Crown Street Bury St Edmunds SuffolkPathway resurfacing works · DC/25/2035/FUL Approved ForUnanimous vote
- West Suffolk Council Depot Olding Road Bury St Edmunds SuffolkLeisure and recreation facility · DC/25/2028/FUL Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Land South Of Hopton Road Barningham SuffolkUp to 60 homes · DC/25/0963/OUT RefusedAgainst officer advice For refusalUnanimous vote
- Land Off Poulters Lane Horringer Suffolk40MW solar farm · DC/25/0909/FUL RefusedAgainst officer advice Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- St Marys Church Crown Street Bury St Edmunds SuffolkPathway resurfacing · DC/25/2036/LB Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary School Bridewell Lane Bury St Edmunds SuffolkRoof-mounted solar panels · DC/25/1842/FUL Approved ForUnanimous vote
- West Suffolk Council Depot Olding Road Bury St Edmunds SuffolkDepot demolition · DC/26/0020/DE1 Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Bus Station, Public Toilets King Street Mildenhall SuffolkTown-centre unit and toilets · DC/25/1794/FUL Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Cross Green Farm Hopton Road Thelnetham SuffolkFour poultry breeder sheds · DC/24/1210/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Land North Of Mount Road Rougham Suffolk160-home housing development · DC/25/0410/OUT Approved ForUnanimous vote
- 9 Short Brackland Bury St Edmunds SuffolkTwo dwellings · DC/25/1375/P3CMA Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Land At 34 And 36 Old Station Road Newmarket SuffolkTwo duplex flats · DC/25/0163/FUL Approved ForUnanimous vote
- George Hill Nurseries Barningham Road Stanton SuffolkAmended footway plans · DC/25/0967/VAR RefusedAgainst officer advice Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Motts Field Chalkstone Way Haverhill SuffolkSports court and banners · DC/25/0658/ADV Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Studlands Park Sports Club Hyperion Way Newmarket SuffolkReplacement sports playzone · DC/25/0664/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Former Swimming Pool Site Recreation Way Mildenhall SuffolkMulti-use games area · DC/25/0659/FUL Approved ForUnanimous vote
- West Suffolk Council Depot Olding Road Bury St Edmunds SuffolkBailing shed refurbishment · DC/25/0455/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Unit 8 Swan Lane Business Park Swan Lane Exning Newmarket SuffolkOffice and worship use · DC/24/0450/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- 34 Nether Street Rougham SuffolkRear home extension · DC/25/0662/HH ApprovedAgainst officer advice Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- West Suffolk House Western Way Bury St Edmunds SuffolkPermanent battery container · DC/25/0805/VAR Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Land East Of Fred Castle Way And Land South Of Rougham Tower Avenue Rougham SuffolkEngineering centre and units · DC/25/0515/HYB Approved ForUnanimous vote
- The New Croft Chalkstone Way Haverhill SuffolkCommunity building extension · DC/24/0979/FUL Approved ForUnanimous vote
- Land Rear Of 27 College Street Bury St Edmunds SuffolkSingle-storey dwelling · DC/24/1417/VAR Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
- Former Sports Direct Fitness Easlea Road Bury St Edmunds SuffolkBuilders’ merchant conversion · DC/24/0964/FUL Approved Not recordedThe minutes do not say how each member voted
No decision matches these filters.
In the minutes
What the minutes record Thorndyke 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
- Heritage1 Apr 2026, 1 Apr 2026
- Neighbours and amenity7 Jan 2026, 6 Aug 2025
- Design, scale and character3 Jun 2026
- Raised concerns about the conditions
“Councillor Jim Thorndyke made reference to nearby Roman archaeological findings and raised concerns over the archaeological management plan referenced in the conditions.”
Minutes, 5 Aug 2026, Land South Of Knox Lane Bardwell Suffolk - Spoke
“Councillor Thorndyke also highlighted the Ministry of Defence fuel line, which he understood ran across the site, and queried the ability of HGV vehicles using the proposed site access without manoeuvring into the opposite carriageway.”
Minutes, 5 Aug 2026, Land South Of Knox Lane Bardwell Suffolk - Moved refusal
“Councillor Jim Thorndyke proposed that the application be refused, contrary to the Officer recommendation, as it was contrary to Policy LP9 and created unnecessary visual clutter which was in conflict with the original design of the Arc.”
Minutes, 3 Jun 2026, 14 Prospect Row Bury St Edmunds Suffolk - Moved approval
“Councillor Jim Thorndyke proposed that the planning application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Carol Bull.”
Minutes, 1 Apr 2026, St Marys Church Crown Street Bury St Edmunds Suffolk - Seconded
“Councillor Sara Mildmay-White proposed that the Listed Building Consent be granted, as per the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Jim Thorndyke.”
Minutes, 1 Apr 2026, St Marys Church Crown Street Bury St Edmunds Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Thorndyke also questioned the practicalities of how the developer S106 contribution could be spent at the surgery, as to his knowledge they were unable to expand the practice any further.”
Minutes, 1 Apr 2026, Land South Of Hopton Road Barningham Suffolk - Moved approval
“Councillor Jim Thorndyke proposed that the planning application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Carol Bull.”
Minutes, 1 Apr 2026, St Marys Church Crown Street Bury St Edmunds Suffolk - Seconded
“Councillor Sara Mildmay-White proposed that the Listed Building Consent be granted, as per the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Jim Thorndyke.”
Minutes, 1 Apr 2026, St Marys Church Crown Street Bury St Edmunds Suffolk - Moved approval
“Councillor Jim Thorndyke proposed that the recommendation be approved, this was duly seconded by Councillor Andy Neal.”
Minutes, 4 Feb 2026, West Suffolk Council Depot Olding Road Bury St Edmunds Suffolk - Spoke on neighbours' amenity
“Councillor Jim Thorndyke made reference to the potential noise and vibration future residents would be subject to, due to the proximity to the railway line.”
Minutes, 7 Jan 2026, Land North Of Mount Road Rougham Suffolk - Asked about the conditions
“Councillor Jim Thorndyke raised a question in relation to the 15-minute period referenced in condition No 7 with regard to music noise level.”
Minutes, 6 Aug 2025, Unit 8 Swan Lane Business Park Swan Lane Exning Newmarket Suffolk - Asked a question
“Councillor Jim Thorndyke posed a question in relation to site access which was clarified by the Senior Planning Officer.”
Minutes, 6 Aug 2025, West Suffolk Council Depot Olding Road Bury St Edmunds Suffolk - Seconded
“This was duly seconded by Councillor Jim Thorndyke.”
Minutes, 6 Aug 2025, West Suffolk Council Depot Olding Road Bury St Edmunds Suffolk - Seconded
“This was duly seconded by Councillor Jim Thorndyke.”
Minutes, 6 Aug 2025, Former Swimming Pool Site Recreation Way Mildenhall Suffolk - Moved approval
“Councillor Jim Thorndyke proposed that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation.”
Minutes, 6 Aug 2025, Studlands Park Sports Club Hyperion Way Newmarket Suffolk - Declared an interest
“Councillor Jim Thorndyke also declared, in the interests of openness and transparency, that he was a West Suffolk Council Cabinet Member and the Cabinet had considered the project which related to the application.”
Minutes, 9 Jul 2025, Land East Of Fred Castle Way And Land South Of Rougham Tower Avenue Rougham Suffolk
How this is worked out
Everything here is read from West Suffolk’s published planning committee minutes, 15 meetings from June 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 from the council’s own list of councillors.
Also on this committee
- Andrew SmithConservative
- Carol BullConservative
- David SmithLabour
- Jon LondonLib Dem
- Marilyn SayerLabour
- Mike ChesterConservative
- Susan GlossopConservative
- Roger DickerIndependent
- Sara Mildmay-WhiteConservative
- Andy NealIndependent
- Lora-Jane Miller-Jones
- Ian HoulderReform UK
- Rachel HoodConservative
- David TaylorIndependent
- Charlie LynchConservative
- Don WaldronReform UK