The next meeting of Ardleigh Parish Council is due to take place on Monday 9 December 2024 at 7.30pm at Ardleigh Village hall with a remote link. The meetings are open to the public- please note that space is limited. Any questions or comments relating to items on the agenda may be also emailed to the Clerk.
Planning Application for a food storage and distribution facility and associated parking, logistics yard and offices on farmland between Old Ipswich Road and Wick Lane.
Judicial Review Update August 2024. Unfortunately, An order has now been issued on the Judicial Review relating to the huge warehouse application on Old Ipswich Road/ Wick Lane. Our application was for ‘permission to appeal, against the refusal of the High Court to grant permission to apply for judicial review, the order of Lang J dated 29 February 2024.’
Decision: ‘Permission to appeal is refused.’
We are grateful for the substantial donations which enabled us to take the case this far. We will now focus on ensuring that all of the conditions attached to the planning permission are met by the developers before any building work begins.
The Unwavering Spirit of Ardleigh
Ardleigh, continuously settled since the pre-Roman period, is a thriving community of over 2,700 residents plus businesses. Surrounded by farmland, Ardleigh boasts a vibrant village life. Our residents cherish their rural setting and have shown remarkable resilience and engagement in facing contemporary challenges, working to protect and enhance our way of life.
Having grown by 35% since 2011, Ardleigh is currently facing unprecedented (proposed) changes:
These proposals have galvanised and united residents, with many hundreds involved in public consultations, meetings, and representations.
Since 2020, the Neighbourhood Plan has provided a positive focus on shaping Ardleigh's future. Councillors and members of the public worked together to ensure that the final plan, currently awaiting referendum, reflects the collective vision of residents.
Community groups, both formal and informal, play a crucial role in supporting residents and fostering a sense of belonging. The ‘Ardleigh Advertiser’, delivered by volunteers, keeps everyone informed about local events and initiatives such as the annual Horticultural Society show.
Longstanding institutions such as the church, primary school, GP surgery and pre-school are cornerstones of community life. During the pandemic, a joint group with neighbouring Dedham ensured support for those in need. The village archivist preserves Ardleigh’s rich history, fostering a sense of continuity and identity.
Newer traditions, such as Kings and Queens of Ardleigh, where Santa delivers donated hampers to older residents, strengthen bonds across generations. In 2023, we held our first ‘Community Showcase’ for local groups to promote opportunities to residents, enabling new groups to form while strengthening existing ones.
Village events bring the community together. The Platinum Jubilee and Coronation celebrations featured family fun days on the Millennium Green, beacon lighting, dancing and bunting (with plenty of cake). The forthcoming D-Day events promise to be another memorable occasion, reflecting the village's respect for its history.
Environmental stewardship is another hallmark of Ardleigh’s community spirit and pride, with personal litter picking kits distributed free to residents. A new group, APACE (Ardleigh Practical Actions on Climate and Environment), came together following work on community ambitions during the Neighbourhood Plan and now leads hands-on environmental initiatives.
Ardleigh Parish Council stands as a robust advocate for the village, proactively representing residents' interests while providing crucial services such as the Village Hall, recreation/play areas, and Cemetery. Whether initiating judicial review proceedings to prevent an unwanted 24-hour warehouse on farmland or organising public meetings and community consultations, our Parish Council ensures Ardleigh’s voice is heard.
In summary, Ardleigh’s greatness lies in its strong sense of community, rich history, and forward-looking approach to contemporary challenges. Our collective spirit ensures that Ardleigh not only preserves its unique character but also continues to thrive in the face of adversity.
This video was prepared for the Community Showcase event in March 2023 and shows the range of activities undertaken by our Parish Council and some of the key achievements since the 2019 election.
Ardleigh Parish Council Clerk Rachel Fletcher, Deputy Clerk Rachel Edwards
01206 414989 (answerphone)
PO Box 12865, Colchester, CO7 7EZ
Village Hall Enquiries & Bookings see the Village Hall tab at the top of this page
Our Community
Please remember to look out for your neighbours and local community members. Ardleigh showed amazing community spirit throughout the pandemic. Remember to ask for help if you need it.
We want to ensure that residents are able to access the support they need. There is Privacy Notice relating to information we may hold about residents.
Some other useful contacts are listed below
Practical support
Essex Wellbeing Service
The Essex Wellbeing Service provides a single, easy to use access point to practical, emotional and social care support. www.Essexwellbeingservice.co.uk 0300 303 9988
Advice and financial support
Citizens Advice Tendring
Get advice and information at any time on our website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/tendring/ Phone 01255 377080 email supervisor@cabtendring.org.uk. Or National Adviceline 03444 111 444
Ardleigh Parochial Charity
We are very lucky in Ardleigh to have a charity to help Ardleigh parish residents, who are in hardship, to fund essential items. Email ardleighparochialcharity@gmail.com with your contact details and someone will get back to you
Bills, Food and Household Essentials Support
If you’re struggling to pay household bills because of the pandemic emergency help is available. You can apply to the Essential Living Fund for help with energy and water bills, food and household essentials. For more information, visit Essex County Council’s Emergency Support page or call 0300 7900124. Other support for residents is available on their website.
Other helplines including mental health support
Samaritans
The Samaritans aim to provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom, often through their telephone helpline. Whatever you are going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and are well trained. Call 116 123 for free to get help. You can also email jo@samaritans.org and you will receive a response within 24 hours. The Samaritans also have a self-help app which can help you keep track of how you're feeling, and get recommendations for things you can do to help yourself cope, feel better and stay safe in a crisis. NHS 111 can also give you someone to talk to in the event that you are having suicidal thoughts and would like to seek different approach to accessing support.
CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a leading movement against suicide. Through this challenging time they are currently supporting more people than ever before through by taking far more calls and web-chats than usual. If you need help, are worried about someone, need support after someone you know has committed suicide or need help and support on some other specific issue then CALM can help. Please find the following link to learn more about CALM and access expert counselling: https://www.thecalmzone.net. Alternatively, call 0800 58 58 58 from 5 pm to midnight, 365 days a year. Text ‘SHOUT’ if you need immediate support from a mental health counsellor.
Medical issues
Ardleigh Surgery is our local NHS Doctors' Surgery is https://www.ardleighsurgery.nhs.uk/ To make an appointment or speak to the receptionist please telephone the Surgery on 01206 230224
Pharmacies Please visit www.nhs.uk to check the availability of local pharmacies. Alternatively, if you do not have access to the internet please ask a relative or friend to check for you, or call NHS 111
Noticeboards and other communications
Our survey on noticeboards and other communications is still live. Please have your say. https://bit.ly/APC-COMMS