Dear All

Welcome to the second email newsletter from Babergh aimed at keeping local stakeholders, especially parish councils, up-to-date about the future of the former HMS Ganges site.

Haylink to meet with Shotley Parish Council

Members of Shotley Parish Council, Babergh Cllr. Wendy Sadler, Suffolk Preservation Society Chairman, Richard Ward and representatives from the developer Haylink Ltd. are due to meet for the first time since the Secretary of State's July ruling on 7 th December.

Haylink begins initial discussions with Babergh

Haylink have started discussions with Babergh's planning Unit. The two main areas under consideration are the future of the existing planning application for 404 retirement dwellings and the possible component parts of a mixed development application using the Secretary of State's decision on the previous application as a starting point and taking into account key issues such as traffic levels, sustainability and the possible re- use of some existing buildings.

Changes to Government Planning Policy and possible implications for the HMS Ganges site

Last Wednesday (29 November) the Government issued a  new policy statement which would appear to cancel existing policy on planning matters such as housing densities and the application of the sequential test in the siting of new developments.

However, this new policy may not come fully into effect until 1 st April next year and it is not clear what is happening between now and then.

Babergh is evaluating the document and aims to share its findings with all on this mailing list as it may apply to HMS Ganges.

What will be happening in the near future?

Babergh is keen to meet with local parish councils as the details of any conversations with Haylink emerge. It is unlikely, however, that this will happen until late winter or even early spring of next year

As previously, Babergh would welcome any timely observations and comments as this process unfolds.

We hope you found this issue of Ganges News useful.

Rgds

Paul Simon

Paul Simon ACIPR

Communications & PR Manager

t: 01473 826634

f: 01473 825742

m: 0776 4195331