Yesterday I acted as a substitute on the Development Committee which I always find interesting. However, on this occasion, the meeting was really quite exciting due to the fact that the Committee was due to reach a decision on reserved matters (that is the detailed plans) for the HMS Ganges site at the tip of the Shotley peninsula. Outline planning permission for the site was granted several years ago.
The history of the Ganges site is very interesting, since, as its name would suggest, it was a training school for navy cadets for many years, and later a police training college. Its planning history is interesting too and not uncontroversial. At least two applications for outline planning permission have been submitted over the years and one decision by Babergh was rejected on appeal.
The site is at the end of a long and winding B road, and is also in a stunningly beautiful position surrounded by the habitat for rare species and overwintering birds. It is understandable therefore that the idea of building 400 or so houses and a nursing home here is controversial locally. However, as a ‘brown field site’ it is, theoretically, an acceptable place to build. Indeed it would be wrong to leave it in its current dilapidated state, so something needs to be done with it. Many residents from the villages of the Shotley peninsula were in the Council Chamber to observe, or to participate in, the proceedings. Many more had written letters objecting to the latest proposals and remarkably not one letter had been received in support of the scheme! Local Members from the Peninsula made impassioned speeches supporting local opposition.
The paperwork relating to the case was extensive and, having ploughed through this, I accompanied other Councillors last Thursday on a site visit to enable us to make a better-informed decision. The photographs above show the ceremonial mast, a relic of the naval era and now in a sad state of repair, the police station (much overgrown by buddleia) and the old officers’ mess and club.
In the event, having listened to all the reasons why the application should be rejected, legal issues too complex to expand on here, meant that proceedings were deferred while elucidation was sought from Babergh’s legal counsel. This means that my efforts to get on top of the complexities of the case were probably in vain since, unless the Committee Member for whom I was standing in is unable to make the next meeting, it will be he and not I who makes the final decision.
However, I was fascinated to be able to visit this historic site and also to observe a well orchestrated campaign of community opposition in action.
