The next meeting of Ardleigh Parish Council is due to take place on Monday 23 January 2023 at 7.00pm. THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING TO CONSIDER THE PRECEPT FOR 2023-24. The meeting is 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.
Update January 2023
Our Council has taken legal advice regarding Judicial Review of the decision. The Pre-Action Protocol was initiated. A formal decision/ Planning Permission on the Planning Application is now awaited before any further action can be taken. Public donations towards the legal costs are welcomed. Thank you to those who have donated.
22 September, Despite strong local opposition the Tendring District Council Planning Committee voted 4-3 in favour of the Application. See TDC website for the papers from the meeting including the minutes Agenda for Planning Committee on Thursday, 22nd September, 2022, 6.00 pm (tendringdc.gov.uk)
Update 20 September. We have been notified that members of the Planning Committee will be visiting the site at approximately 11.05 am (with up to half an hours flexibility either side) on the morning of Thursday 22 September. There is not usually an opportunity to speak to the Planning Committee at site visits but representatives of our Parish Council will be present and would welcome support from local residents to show local opposition to the scheme. We will be gathering from 10.30am on Old Ipswich Road close to the junction with Wick Lane.
Similarly we have offers of lifts available to the Planning Committee meeting itself (see below). If you need a lift (or can offer one) please email us. info@ardleigh-pc.gov.uk
14 September. The application will now be considered by the Tendring District Council Planning Committee rearranged for Thursday 22 September at 6pm at Clacton Town Hall. Link to agenda and documents Agenda for Planning Committee on Thursday, 22nd September, 2022, 6.00 pm (tendringdc.gov.uk)
Our Parish Council has submitted a further response - addressing the Committee Report (which is recommending approval of the scheme). This latest response can be found on the link 'Residents' Guide and Parish Council Objections'. We have also emailed all members of the Planning Committee to outline our concerns and to urge them to reject the application.
Members of the public may wish to contact members of the committee, to submit further comments via the planning portal (scroll down for details of how to submit individual objections). The meeting itself is open to the public (although speakers are determined in advance), residents are encouraged to consider attending to show the strength of local feeling. if you are intending to attend and/or can offer a lift please email us (planning@ardleigh-pc.gov.uk)
7 September
Update PLANNING APPLICATION - Food Storage and Distribution Old Ipswich Road/Wick Lane.
We have been notified that the decision on the above application will be made by the Tendring District Council Planning Committee on 14 September at 6pm. Despite the strong objections by our Parish Council and more than 200 residents, the recommendation to the committee from the Planning Officers is that they should APPROVE the application.
The executive summary is reproduced below. This will be discussed at our Parish Council on Monday and further representations made to the Planning Committee to urge them to reject the application.
Link to the full agenda and papers https://tdcdemocracy.tendringdc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments...
'Application: 20/00594/FUL Town / Parish: Ardleigh Parish Council
Applicant: Flying Trade Group PLC
Address: Land adjoining Ipswich Road and Wick Lane Ardleigh CO7 7QL
Development: Full planning for food storage and distribution facility and associated parking, logistics yard and offices.
1. Executive Summary
1.1 The application proposes a large warehouse to be used as a food storage and distribution facility, with a height of between 16-20m, and a depth of up to 170m set in an extensive area of proposed hard standing. New access arrangements are proposed from Old Ipswich Road, including car parking as well as a large vehicle yard to the rear (south east of the proposed warehouse building) with facilities for vehicle washing and re-fuelling. The proposal also includes provision for a large attenuation pond for managing surface flows.
1.2 Clear policy conflict has been identified in terms of the landscape harm, and the harmful impact of the ‘in depth’ part of the warehouse and HGV hardstanding area on the character and appearance of Wick Lane and the immediate hinterland to the east of the site, as well as the impact of the large warehouse on residential amenity by way of light pollution and being overbearing in nature to nearby residents, especially those residents to the north west and east of the site. These harmful elements weigh significantly against the development proposal. The proposal will also result in the loss of agricultural land and as a result there is conflict with Paragraph 174 a) of the National Planning Policy Framework 2021 (‘the Framework’).
1.3 Against this harm the benefits to the local and wider economy, the benefits to the food distribution sector in particular, and direct and indirect job retention/creation would be substantial, and very significant weight is attributed to these benefits.
1.4 All other material planning considerations have been taken into account and where relevant, where harm arises, these can be mitigated against by way of planning conditions or s106 obligations, all these elements are neutral in the planning balance.
1.5 Ultimately, the weight given to the substantial benefits as outlined in this report is considered to very marginally outweigh the significant weight given to the landscape and character harm, as well as the identified harm to residential amenity. For these reasons, it is recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to the completed S106 legal agreement and the conditions as recommended in section 7.0'
4 May A further objection has been submitted on the sequential test statement showing why our Parish Council do not accept that alternative sites have been properly considered.
21 February. The Parish Council's full objection, prepared on our behalf by Planning Direct, has now been submitted to Tendring District Council. This is available to view using the button on this page. We understand that comments are still being accepted so residents may wish to add to or refine their comments or submit new ones based on our updated detailed comments.
The Parish Council has commissioned Planning Direct to prepare a guide to assist residents in responding to the latest amendments to the full 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. This is available by clicking the button on this page or via this link https://bit.ly/GuideforResidents .
Update 14.2.22 An executive summary of the Full Objection being prepared for the Parish Council is also available via the button on this page.
A reminder that the way to submit individual objections is to either log in to the Tendring District Council public access portal via this link https://idox.tendringdc.gov.uk/online-applications/ and enter the reference number (20/00594) (or key word/ postcode) in the keyword search box. The link to the application is https://idox.tendringdc.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage
Alternatively you can email planning services at Tendring direct. This is particularly helpful if your comments are long or you wish to include photos. Please note that there is a 2000 character limit for online comments. Should your comment exceed this amount please email your document to dcadmin.planning@tendringdc.gov.uk and a member of the team will upload the comment for you.
In addition to this document Planning Direct will also be assisting the Parish Council in preparing its own objections and the matter will be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting on 14 February at 7.30pm. We have an agreed extension for the Parish Council and residents until 21 February, but would encourage residents to submit their comments as soon as they are able to. Noting that comments should be accepted and can be updated until the day of the Planning Committee.
We trust this is helpful.
21 September
Another Ardleigh Planning application will be considered at a Tendring Planning Committee next week 27 September. This is the proposed battery storage unit which will be situated very close to the location which National Grid have in mind for their huge substations as part of the controversial East Anglia GREEN project.
We asked for this to be considered by the Planning Committee because of the wider public interest and concerns. The papers are here https://tdcdemocracy.tendringdc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments... The officer is recommending approval.
Prior to the meeting there will be a site visit (10:45am-10:55am Tuesday 27 September) we can attend but cannot 'take part in any discussion thereat unless specifically invited to do so by the Chairman of the Planning Committee.' Please note that the times shown are approximate and may vary by as much as half an hour either way.
Residents may wish to attend either the planning committee or site visit. Speakers are agreed in advance, if you might be interested in speaking please read the paper and liaise with TDC direct.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
1926-2022
Ardleigh Parish Council joins the nation in mourning the death of her Majesty the Queen.
There will be a period of National Mourning and further information, funeral details and the official Royal Family Book of Condolence can found here in due course: https://www.royal.uk/
We will share more information and any details of local events or books of condolence below once it is available.
9 September 2022. 12 noon Ardleigh Church. Prayers and tolling of church bells.
'Following yesterday’s sad news about the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, we now have opened Books of Condolence for people to sign.
These are available in the foyer of Clacton Town Hall, and in the reception areas of Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles and Walton-on-the-Naze Lifestyles leisure centres. They are available during usual opening hours and at Clacton Town Hall across this weekend between 10am-4pm, and also next weekend up until the day after the funeral.
People are also invited to leave floral tributes on the grassed areas surrounding Clacton Town Hall.
The Proclamation for the District of Tendring will take place this Sunday 11th September at 2pm, at Clacton Town Hall. Everyone is welcome.
Following a discussion with, and agreement from, the Leader and the Chairman of the Council, I can confirm that all Tendring District Council public council and committee meetings scheduled until 21st September have been cancelled/postponed.'
There will not be a Proclamation in Ardleigh. Residents who are unable to get to Clacton may be interested in these relatively local events
Residents are invited to leave floral tributes by the war memorial outside Ardleigh Church. These will be removed after the funeral. Please remove cellophane.
The Ardleigh Parish Council meeting scheduled for 12 September 2022 has been cancelled.
Council Contracts
The specifications for Council Contracts including grass, hedge and verge cutting, floral displays, Millennium Green and Recreation Ground, Street Lighting, Tree surveys have now closed. Bids closed on 7 February and are being evaluated.
Noticeboards and other communications
Our survey on noticeboards and other communications is now live. Please have your say. https://bit.ly/APC-COMMS
Rachel Fletcher
Ardleigh Parish Council Clerk
01206 414989 (answerphone)
PO Box 12865, Colchester, CO7 7EZ
Village Hall Enquiries & Bookings
see the Village Hall tab at the top of this page
The local Dedham and Ardleigh helpline which operated for over a year during the Pandemic is no longer operating. Thanks to the volunteers who contributed to such a successful and important initiative.
Our Community
Please remember to look out for your neighbours and local community members. Ardleigh has shown amazing community spirit throughout the pandemic. Remember to ask for help if you need it.
Please follow the government advice on social distancing and self isolation and stay up to date with the latest announcements here https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
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- such as help with shopping or essential supplies
Essex Wellbeing Service The Essex Welfare Service launched in response to Covid-19 and has supported 9,000 vulnerable residents since March 2020. Now the service has relaunched as the Essex Wellbeing Service and continues to be available to all. 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
Coronavirus web links and news
These links might be helpful for information or advice:
Tendring District Council Coronavirus page https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/coronavirus
Essex County Council to see the latest news and updates from Essex County Council on various other areas of public interest, please visit https://www.essex.gov.uk/latest-news. This website is updated on a daily basis.
Government guidance for Covid https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS guidance for Covid https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Files to download
Car Rally Full Route map CSRTC 2022 Overall Map V7 (pdf)
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