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| SRL's offices in Little Waldingfield |
The Sound Research Laboratory (SRL), in Little Waldingfield has applied for planning permission to extend its laboratory facilities.
I went along to take a look, since apparently, according to Babergh’s planners, the scheme amounts to ‘major development’. In fact, while quite extensive, the proposed building work is not really that large, and is important if the company is to continue to grow.
I have to admit that I was interested to know more about the organisation. It seems rather mysterious, in the middle of the country, up a long driveway, adjacent to an old stately home. It would make the perfect spot for a P.D James novel.
Well, the truth is a little more prosaic but the company is an interesting one. It was started over 40 years ago in Holbrook House itself, and has grown quite rapidly. It now has a purpose built headquarters adjacent to the House, which is now an old people’s home. Most of its facilities and laboratories are in Suffolk, but it also now has offices in Altrincham in Cheshire, London and Dubai. Employing nearly 50 people, much of the company’s work is related to testing the sound and vibration qualities of building and other industrial materials.
The new facilities are needed to increase the capacity and flexibility of SRL’s experimental facilities. The development will, with luck, enable the business to continue to expand and to add to its work force in Suffolk.
This would be no bad thing. We urgently need higher quality work in the Sudbury area.
Thanks are due to Director, Dave Clarke, and other members of the company who organised my visit, and took time out to tell me about its plans.
The consultation period for the application closes shortly.
