Monster warehouses coming to a field near you.

  
'By giving planning permission to this development today you will be giving the green light to an act of vandalism.  You will be bowing to short term demands which will destroy for ever an environment that has been developed over many centuries.

This does not have to happen.  There is a better way.'

The claims of economic growth and heritage assets – are they really incompatible?  I think not.

However this is the only conclusion that can be drawn from the very sad decision made by Babergh’s Development Committee today to approve Prolog’s application to build two vast warehouses on land adjacent to Chilton Hall and Chilton Church.

Moated Chilton Hall

Frankly, little attention was paid by the majority of the committee to the importance of the historical buildings.  They were clearly of the opinion that the need for jobs in the area is so overwhelming that all other considerations are of minor importance.  Their views were not shared by a number of organisations, both local (Suffolk Preservation Society and Sudbury Society) and national (including English Heritage), all of whom wrote strong objections to the plans.

The decision, which is of questionable legality, sets an unfortunate precedent and in my opinion sends the wrong message with regard to how the council values our built environment, a built environment which, incidentally, is among the most outstanding in England.

In addition to Frank Lawrenson and me, Peter Clifford, Val Hart and a representative from the Suffolk Preservation Society spoke against the application.

In my speech, reproduced on a separate ‘tab’ above, I tried to point out that jobs could still be accommodated if a less obtrusive development were presented, or if Prolog were to locate their buildings on the far less sensitive site at Chilton Woods.

Frank Lawrenson also spoke eloquently, making the excellent point that tourism is one of the largest employers in Suffolk.  If we continue to compromise our historical assets however, there will be nothing left to visit.

Everyone else made a good showing too, but it was impossible to shake the conviction of those who believed, wrongly in my opinion, that a vote against the plans was a vote against jobs and the prosperity of the area.

The Cranes sleep on in Chilton Church in happy oblivion