Shotley Gate from the River Stour

The Parishes of Shotley and Erwarton are situated at the end of the Shotley Peninsula, approximately 10 miles south east of Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk.
 
The Shotley peninsula is bounded by the estuaries of the Rivers Stour and Orwell, which form one of the most notable natural harbours – Harwich Harbour - on the East Coast of England. The harbour is the home of the internationally renowned ports of Harwich and Felixstowe. Although the Shotley Peninsula is not included on the average tourist’s trail through Suffolk, it is an area of outstanding beauty and is a magnet to naturalists, walkers, bird-watchers, horse-riders, cyclists and yachtsmen alike.
 

Shotley Parish, at the extreme easterly end of the Shotley Peninsula, covers approximately 60sq.km and has a population of more that 2,200 people. The Parish is made up of 3 distinct settlements; a hamlet centered on the Church, Shotley Gate principally family housing in 1960s and 1980s developments, and Shotley Street which contains a large element of social housing. Of particular note is the historical shore-based Royal Navy training facility, HMS Ganges, which currently lies derelict. Here there are several listed buildings and recently Napoleonic era buildings and fortifications have been discovered.

 
Erwarton Parish is much the same geographical size as Shotley but has a population of less that 150, half of the houses are within approximately 100m of the church, the rest in farms and isolated country dwellings. It is essentially rural, set amongst rich agricultural land. The River Stour forms the southern boundary of Erwarton and it’s entire coastline is designated as “Heritage Coast”.
 
The following table highlights the key community services available in the Shotley and Erwarton Parishes.
 
 
Key service In Shotley? In Erwarton? If none, where is nearest?
Village Hall/Community centre
Y
N
Public House
Y
Y
Pre-School (playgroup)
Y
N
Public internet point
N
N
Ipswich
Police station *
N
N
Ipswich
Post Office
Y
N
Cashpoint
N
N
Ipswich
Shop
Y
N
Primary School
Y
N
Secondary/Senior School
N
N
Holbrook
Job centre
N
N
Ipswich
Petrol station/garages
Y
N
Youth clubs
N
N
Ipswich
Bus service
Y
Y
Doctors surgery
Y
N
   
Three key developments will have a very significant impact on the Shotley community in the coming years. A development has been granted for 150 housing units at Shotley Marina; various revised planning applications for major housing developments on the HMS Ganges site; and the development of Bathside Bay which together with the existing Felixstowe and Harwich facilities, will create the largest concentration of port and dock facilities in the country. The two housing developments may well double the population of the village, placing a huge strain on the existing social, transport and economic infrastructure and of course environmental sites of international significance.
 
* Safer Neighbourhood Team
 
 
(c) MyShotley.com. Page last updated: 30-12-08



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