What has happened recently and what may happen in the future?

Planners from Babergh have met with representatives from Haylink, the site owners, on two occasions since the last issue of Ganges News. At these meetings, Babergh repeated its request that Haylink fully engages with the local communities likely to be most affected by any new developments on the site and especially with Shotley Parish Council BEFORE full applications are received. We understand that a meeting has taken place between Haylink and shotley Parich Council.

The owners have appointed new architects and we understand that they are preparing new development schemes for the Ganges site. There are likely to be four applications submitted to the Council by Haylink – although we understand they are unlikely to be submitted together.

These are:

a. Application for a Certificate of Lawful Existing Use

This has already been submitted and is currently being considered by the Council. This application is attempting to formally clarify the lawful planning use of the site. The application is claiming a lawful Class C2 use, in this case a residential training centre (Class C2 includes residential schools and colleges, hospitals convalescent/nursing homes and other uses of a similar character). If the Council is satisfied the use has been demonstrated "on the balance of probabilities", a Certificate can be issued. Further information regarding Certificates can be found in Circular 11/97 - Enforcing Planning Control (Annex 8); <link>

b. New link road to provide vehicular access to the Shotley Marina development.

Part of the approved Marina development (approx 50% of the dwellings) relies upon access over the HMS Ganges site for vehicular access. The planning permission granted for the Marina site did include an access road across the Ganges site, although this was to be provided around the perimeter. One of the conditions of the Marina development planning permission requires details of the design and layout of the approved access road to be submitted. Planning permission is required for this alternative access route because it is would be outside the application site area relevant to the Marina development (and therefore outside the parameters of the planning condition). If planning permission is granted for the road, it is likely that any future development of the Ganges site would also use this as its primary access.

Babergh believes that this application could be received in June.

c. Reserved Matters under original outline planning application

The applicant has the option of submitting revised reserved matters under the outline planning permission granted during the 1990's. This consent is for 404 retirement units, is still live and capable of implementation upon approval of reserved matters. The issues to be considered in any revised proposals submitted would relate solely to the proposed means of access, the layout of the site, the design and appearance of the buildings and landscaping. These proposals could be submitted in July/August.

d. A totally new application

The final application would be for an alternative to the application development which was recently called in and considered by the Secretary of State. The Council is not aware of the precise details of this development at this time. This application could be submitted during the Autumn/Winter of 2007.

Babergh's guiding principles

It may be helpful if Babergh was to repeat its ‘world view' as regards any proposals for the former HMS Ganges site. Babergh takes the opinion of the Secretary of State in her July ruling as the starting point for future deliberations. In particular, Ms Kelly stated that the site of HMS Ganges needs to be re-used and that the principle of residential re-development has been established. She states that “….while an alternative application might still raise concerns in terms of access, sustainability and traffic, it is possible, perhaps through a reduction in the total number of dwellings and a different mix of employment and residential uses of the site, that these impacts could be reduced to acceptable levels”.

Rgds

Paul Simon

Paul Simon ACIPR

Communications & PR Manager

t: 01473 826634

f: 01473 825742

m: 0776 4195331