Latest Ganges Report
Woolverstone Parish Council resolved to take no further action in relation to the appeal regarding the development on the former HMS Ganges site.
It was unanimously agreed that we have gone as far as we can reasonably and legally go. We have always acted in what we believe to be the best interests of the community as a whole. However, we are now satisfied that we have pursued those interests as far as we can. Nevertheless, our concerns remain that such a large residential development, added to the one currently being built at Shotley Marina, will make Shotley one of the largest villages in Babergh District. It remains our view that this will have a significant impact on the Peninsula, its services and those living in the villages along the B1456.
We have always supported the principle of development on the former HMS Ganges site. For us, the obstacle has been the size and scope of any proposed development and the significant impact it will have on the Shotley Peninsula, large parts of which are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and our village of Woolverstone, which itself is a Conservation Area. For us, the significant increase in traffic volume has been our major concern and the nature and path of the B1456. Surprisingly, there has never been an independent assessment of the impact of the additional traffic despite an increase in traffic expected to be in the order of 30%.
We will now work to try to protect our community from the impact of such an increase in traffic as far as is possible. We will work with the Police and Suffolk County Council to calm the excess speeding through our village. We will seek to negotiate the best calming measures we can with the funding from the developers to mitigate the impact of such traffic increase on speed, noise, vibration, severance and pollution. We will work to find solutions to the damage caused to our Conservation Area assets through the village, like our low brick walls. We will seek to work with Haylink to ensure that the planned 6,000 HGV trips and associated construction traffic over the three year period of development abide by industry guidelines for the Health and Safety of the communities through which they pass and ensure they respect our speed limits. We will also continue to work with Freston PC to achieve a safe junction at Freston crossroads.
This has been a long journey. We would especially like to thank the many Peninsula residents who have supported and continue to support us throughout a very long and costly process.
We all recognise the Shotley Peninsula is a unique and special place. We are privileged to live here. We need to work together to protect its beauty and quality of life for all of us, not only for ourselves but for those who come after us.
Shotley Parish Council have intimated that they will be pleased to work with Woolverstone Parish Council in an effort to minimise the potential problems with the roads and unforeseeable incidents that may happen during this development, We must all realise this is a wonderful and unique place to live and I am sure we all wish it to remain so
We look forward to receiving your support during the forthcoming months and welcome any suggestions to assist us in getting the most benefit we can from this development.