HMS Ganges development

Following the Public Inquiry, the Inspector who assessed the decision by Babergh Council to grant planning permission for 325 homes has recommended that the permission be overturned and the Minister for Communities and Local Government has said that she is minded to agree with his recommendation.

The report said that:

• The Environmental Statement was not sufficient to assess the environmental impact of the development
• The location would mean that the 800+ new residents would be reliant on their cars to access jobs, services and leisure
• There would be a negative impact on existing residents in terms of pressure on existing services and from pollution
• There would be significant impact from traffic increases in the Woolverstone and Chelmondiston conservation areas
• The B1456 whilst able to just about cope with the increase in traffic in normal circumstances would be severely compromised during accidents and flooding on The Strand

The report concluded that the proposed development was in conflict with the policy of developing sustainable communities and that the environmental cost would too great.

Shotley Parish Council are calling on Babergh District Council and Suffolk County Council to lead a public debate on the future of the site to find a solution that is affordable, respects the history of the site and meets the social and economic needs of the area. Interested parties now have six weeks to respond to the report before the Minister confirms her decision.

Full details can be found on the web site at

Tell us what you think should happen next at info@myshotley.com

• press release by Parish Council
• Secretary of State's letter
• Inspector's Report (broadband users only - 320Kb)
• main HMS Ganges page