Response of Shotley Parish Council to SCC Report on Ganges

Edited version

1 Since the matter was last considered the developers commissioned a Health Impact Assessment. It recommended “discussions between the primary care team Central Suffolk PCT and Suffolk Social Services on how they will meet the needs of new residents whilst maintaining the quality of care and access to services of existing residents,” and a further recommendation for a wider forum including the local community to discuss recreation, education and youth issues. No response has been included in this report.

2 The contention that Planning Permission for 404 retirement homes is a reason to not object to the revised application is flimsy. Even if 404 where to equal the 325 in terms of traffic (and the methodology has been questioned) the two applications present different challenges. The application for 404 was assessed against the guidance of that time. The current application needs to be assessed against the guidance of today; in particular PPS1 presents greater challenges to ensure that plans are truly sustainable.

3 In the previous report the Executive were supportive of facilities to meet the needs of the community: a library with an internet café, youth, community and leisure facilities. The current report says that these remain to be investigated and only in reference to a library. We find it staggering that 3 years on these things have not even reached the stage of investigation by County Officers. The failure to reiterate the support leads the local community to believe that this support has evaporated and that the County no longer insists on facilities for the community.

4 The Committee has before them the assessment by Haylink, an assessment of the same by the consultant employed by the local Parishes and the view of officers. The bottom line is that the minimum the traffic flow through Shotley will increase by 53% and that no amelioration measures are being proposed to protect the community from the obvious negative impact this will have.

5 We have a copy of the Scoping Statement. Included was the requirement for a “full Highway Inventory” and assessment of all junctions, parking provision, pedestrian and cycling access, signage, etc. In our view neither the Haylink TA nor the County’s evaluation comes close to meeting this obligation. In respect of Shotley officers have yet to give any meaningful consideration to:

Location of pedestrian controlled crossings

Any improvements to and increased provision for footpath/cycle ways

Measures to limit the impact of increased traffic flows in areas of problem parking, speeding and accident black spots

Measures to improve site lines and visibility at junctions along the B1456 other than at Freston and Wherstead

The suggestions in para 32 a) to h) whilst admirable are no more than cosmetic responses to the development proposal.

6 No measures to improve the take up of cycling and the safety of cyclists have been presented, other than within the new development. We have been told that the B1456 is not suitable as a cycle route as it is “not a commuter route.” Within Shotley we are seeking a safe route to the Primary School for walkers and cyclists.

Conclusion

The job of the County Council is at best half done. With so much still to be resolved the Executive Committee should defer a decision until such time as a comprehensive set of proposals that command the support of local people can be agreed. We would also recommend that a site visit is made.

• (click here for full response)

• HMS Ganges page

• If you have any views or queries, please email info@myshotley.com, or telephone 07845 875238.