Chairman's Report
Shotley Parish Council 2017
HMS Ganges continues to be at the forefront our future village plans.
The owners of the site have been given planning permission for 285 houses of varying shapes and sizes, along with a nursing home and small hotel, which we as a parish council supported.
HMS Ganges continues to be at the forefront our future village plans.
HMS Ganges continues to be at the forefront our future village plans.
The owners of the site have been given planning permission for 285 houses of varying shapes and sizes, along with a nursing home and small hotel, which we as a parish council supported.
It is good to tell you that recently Simon Pierce Chairman of Woolverstone parish council in a presentation to Shotley Parish Council stated that Woolverstone had withdrawn all opposition to the Ganges Development and would be pleased to work with Shotley in all aspects of the application.
This is indeed very welcome as I am sure we can work satisfactorily together to gain the best result for the Peninsula and I have pleasure to welcome them as part of the team.
As you may realise work has already been started on the site in cleaning up the Old Roman Fortification which may prove to be of great historic Value We shall see
All services must be installed on the site before building can commence So I am sure we shall see much preparation work on this very derelict site in the months ahead
We as your local Council will endeavour to keep you informed of the developments as they proceed and look forward to receiving suggestions as to how we can improve the future of your Shotley
Picnic area
Much has happened to the picnic area at the bottom of Bristol Hill over the past year.
Shotley Parish Council purchased the land and foreshore now known as the Heritage Park and much work has gone into this area to make a wonderful place for a relaxing walk and a valuable asset as a tourist attraction.
Some of the old wartime sites have been put back to original and given suitable name from parts of ships. Much of this work has been completed by the Footpath Renovation Group now named Shotley Open Spaces Group who have worked closely with the Parish Council throughout the renovation period
Affordable Housing
A new block of affordable houses has been built at the end of the Street. In order to comply with Government requirements these have been built to a very high specification and fit into the local background very well.
A thank you to Richard Wrench for giving up the land at an acceptable price
Groups
We are pleased as a village to have so many 'Active Groups' many run by the very prolific hands of Norman Bugg and of whom we are very grateful and always willing to give a helping hand if we are able the scout huts adjacent to the Village Hall are in the process of being repaired and made watertight. I wish them an enjoyable and dry future
Pier
A new project for the village is the intended purchase of the old Victorian Pier, built when it was originally intended for a railway line from Manningtree to Shotley.
The Pier was used extensively during the two world wars and there is photographic evidence of the Ganges Mast being manhandled along the pier to be installed in its present position.
Sadly neglected, I am afraid that we can only hope this important Suffolk landmark will eventually be renovated to take its place in the future of the area. I am sure if we can get the Pier back into use it will form a very interesting project for the future of Shotley and indeed for East Anglia.
Details of this project can be obtained from our local Babergh district councillor Derek Davis or Sally Chicken - details of both can be found on the website
Come and Meet Us
The Parish Council is up to full strength at this time and I am sure look forward to a very interesting future in giving you the parishioners and the village a service to be proud of.
Our Parish Clerk Dina Bedwell is available to discuss any plans for the enhancement of the village and we certainly look forward to meeting you all Don't forget you are always welcome at our Parish Council meetings held at the Village Hall on the third Thursday of each month, where we look forward to hearing your views on the future of the Village
Best wishes for the year ahead
Barrie Powell
Chairman
Shotley Parish Council