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During the course of the year the Parish Council produce and distribute to every household newsletters. Below you will find the most recently produced newsletter that was distributed in December 2011.
From the Parish Council Chairman
Firstly, May I on behalf of the Parish Council wish all of our parishioners a very Happy Christmas.
At our November council meeting County Councillor Peter Bellfield and District Councillor Steven Hudson gave reports on current actions being taken by Suffolk CC and Suffolk Coastal DC.
Consultation documents had been received from Felixstowe Dock in respect of achieving rights over land to carry out the rail improvement work that has previously been given approval. In Westerfield this mainly affects existing highway land in the vicinity of the level crossing. Documents were received from East Anglia Offshore Windfarms that showed their intent to lay high voltage cables from their development in the North Sea to connect with the national Grid Network at Bramford. No precise route was indicated but one of the options was around the north of Ipswich. A second stage consultation is likely in 2012 and if this is likely to affect Westerfield the developers have offered to attend a local public meeting.
National Planning Policy Framework
This document has had a wide press coverage and has caused concern that developers will gain planning permission too easily in future. This situation is only likely to occur if the local planning authority does not have an up to date Local Plan. Our local situation is explained as follows:
Ipswich Borough Council
The Local Development Framework (LDF) has now been declared sound by the government planning inspector and recommended for adoption by Ipswich BC. The plan shows a possible 1000 to 1500 homes being built on the south of the Railway, and east of the B1077 by 2021. A further 1500 could be built on the Northern Fringe by 2026 and this area could ultimately consist of 4500 homes. Once the LDF is adopted no building can start until a Supplementary Planning Document is adopted specifically to ensure that the Northern Fringe is considered not piecemeal but with the provision of facilities and infrastructure needed to serve the development and adjacent communities. The LDF states that “Any development will maintain an appropriate physical separation of Westerfield village from Ipswich and provide the opportunity for a country park within the Northern Fringe”.
Suffolk Coastal District Council
The LDF for Suffolk Coastal is in place but still has to go through a consultation for soundness and be considered by an independent planning inspector. If the current proposal is adopted the status of Westerfield as a village is maintained without any large scale developments and most housing will be provided in the Martlesham and Felixstowe areas.
Fonnerau Way
The Public inquiry into the proposal to establish footpath rights to this route was held on December 7th. Network Rail objected to the order in respect to public use of this path over the railway. The Parish Council, Ramblers Association and others supported the proposal but Network Rail were adamant that under Acts passed in 1845 and from conveyances in 1857 for the original railway that there was no right of passage for the public and that Network Rail were not bound by other laws to grant access by established usage that would normally apply to the creation of a public right of way. The Inspector will make recommendation to the Secretary of State in due course.
Community Speedwatch
We now have seven volunteers trained and approved but we could do more speed checks with another volunteer. The rota is run by Barry Reeve who wishes to thank Karen Hill, Alan Scruby, Alf and Jean Wheeler, Brian Williams and Peter Miller for their work during the year.
Adopt a Station Scheme
Network Rail has asked if communities with Stations would be prepared to make them more welcoming. A few plants would make a lot of difference. If anyone would be interested we can find out what funding may be available.
Traffic Calming
At last a little more progress as the edge marking lines are now in place. These give a perception that the road is narrower and tends towards reduced speed. Extra road markings are still to be laid at the village gateway locations. The proposed priority build outs have still not been resolved. Previous measures for priority flow have failed to gain highway authority approval but the County Council are seeking approval to a revised design which the Parish Council will consider for building in 2012. Details are not yet available but it is hoped to display these at the next council meeting.
Peter Miller(Chairman)
Longways, Main Road,
Westerfield. IP6 9AJ.
Tel 01473 212316.
Pmiller357@aol.com
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