SPS news – February 2024 campaign bulletin

Languard Lodge, Felixstowe  

We were pleased to learn that on 27 February East Suffolk Council’s Strategic Planning Committee voted to confirm the Article 4(1) Direction removing the permitted development right of demolition from Landguard Lodge in Felixstowe.  

The effect is that the building cannot now be demolished unless a planning application is made and permission granted. In September 2023 SPS objected to the demolition of Landguard Lodge and Cottage, both late nineteenth century buildings which are in a prominent seafront location and have an important military history.

Bramford to Twinstead

In early February, as the Examination into National Grid’s proposals to upgrade the electricity transmission lines between Bramford and Twinstead continues, the county and relevant district councils in Suffolk and Essex delivered an ultimatum to National Grid – change or we will all move our response to “object”. A joint written representation stated that the proposals for (inter alia) landscape and visual mitigation and compensation measures were inadequate and that these inadequacies were so profound that the Councils were considering moving to a position of formal objection.

We now learn that this was indeed the outcome and the Councils are clearly not satisfied that any meaningful improvements to the proposals have been made. A formal Final Position Statement by Suffolk County council on 26  February states

“SCC is so concerned about the shortcomings in the Applicant’s proposals for the implementation and control of the construction of the project, that it must advise the ExA and the SoS that it formally OBJECTS to the making of a Development Consent Order (DCO) in the terms put forward by the Applicant in the draft DCO and supported by the current suite of control documents.”

A walk and talk in the ancient woodlands of Staverton Park

Wantisden, Woodbridge, IP12 3PJ

Wednesday 8 May. 10.30am. £20 per person

We will be led by Gary Battell, Suffolk County Council Woodland Advisor. Join us to learn about this unique woodland which is of great historical and conservation interest.

Following the walk, a light lunch will be served at the Shepherds Cottage, located on the edge of the forest and part of the Staverton Estate.

Thanks to SPS Trustee, Nicholas Pearson OBE, who has kindly agreed to sponsor the event and to the Kemball family for allowing access to the forest.