Redrow's withdrawal...fatal consequences?

I have just spent a fascinating morning attending the Planning Inspector’s examination of the Draft Babergh Development Framework.  The proceedings which started last week will I understand continue for a fortnight.

The subject under discussion was the Chilton Woods Development, which of course largely falls within the parish of Chilton.  As readers of the blog know this project was recently dealt something of a blow by the termination of the preferred developer agreement between the County Council and the housebuilder, Redrow.

If there was any doubt, today's session with the Planning Inspector made it clear that  Redrow’s withdrawal from the scene has real significance, and may indeed be fatal,  not just to the Chilton Woods project in its present form,  but possibly even to the swift enactment of the Development Framework as a whole.

The Inspector was much exercised by the fact that with the withdrawal of a second developer, the Chilton Woods scheme may not now be viable as it stands.  If the scheme is not deliverable, the Inspector asked,  is there a plan B for housing growth in the Sudbury area?   If not where is the growth in housing encapsulated in the Framework going to come from?  The Inspector voiced doubts and reservations about all these issues. It is clear that he needs some evidence to support the County Council's confidence in the future of the Chilton Woods scheme, and he needs it soon.

It is too early to say if the Inspector’s stated reservations and concerns will scupper the Framework, and indeed I am not entirely sure whether it is possible to pass parts of the plan and exclude other parts, or whether it has to be passed as 'sound'  in its entirety.  

It should be noted however that failure to get the policy in place would mean that Babergh would for a meaningful period have to rely for guidance on the notoriously liberal National Planning Guidelines.  This, as the Council for the Preservation of Rural England and the National Trust recently pointed out could lead to some unfortunate planning decisions.

Aside from these rather crucial issues, Peter Clifford and Val Hart, representing Chilton Parish Council, and Jan Osborne for Sudbury Town Council, made a strong case for the retention of all of the community assets, provision for open space etc. that are supposed to be a feature of the Development.  This was in the face of a request for changes by the County Council who have had to step into the breach following the departure of Redrow,  The Inspector clearly agreed with them that the changes are not as trivial as the County Council's agent claimed and it seems that any alterations will need to go to further public consultation.

Keen to compost?

Is your parish or community interested in starting a Community Composting project? A handful of Suffolk places remain for the second Suffolk and Norfolk Community Composting Network Seminar on Sunday 17th March 2013 in Thurlton (South Norfolk). This free event (lunch provided) promises to be an interesting and interactive day, with expert speakers and a visit to the local community composting site.
Please note that places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Initially places will be limited to one person per community group.
For more information and to request a place please email your name and phone number to craig.renton@suffolk.gov.uk or call on 01473 264795 by Tuesday 12th March.

---

You read it here first....Redrow withdraws from Chilton Woods

Pie in the sky?

Redrow, the major UK house builder, has withdrawn as the preferred developer of the important Chilton Woods Site to the North of Sudbury.

Local Babergh members and Parish and Town Councillors were not told the news, but found out indirectly.  This was a regrettable lapse on the part of officers and yet again raises questions about transparency and genuine commitment to community engagement. In any event, the County Council have now publicly confirmed that Redrow is no longer participating in the scheme.

This is something of a setback to say the least,  but at present it seems that Suffolk County Council remains committed to principle of developing the site as outlined in the master plan,   However they are now proposing some small reductions in the amount of community land to be included and other small changes, details of which need further investigation.  This has already set alarm bells ringing in some quarters as people suspect that their commitment to the provision of high quality community assets for the new settlement may be wavering.

I have always had misgivings about Redrow's level of commitment to the scheme given the very high expectations of the community with regard to the provision of woodland, open space, community halls etc.  Those who listened carefully to what they said at numerous presentations would have clearly heard their representatives urging caution with regard to how much 'community gain' could reasonably be afforded.

The company has been under the corporate spotlight in recent months due to the failure of a rights issue and the failed attempt by the company's founder to take the company private.   It is hard to know if this had anything to do with the company's decision, but it is certainly likely that the company has undertaken a review of its portfolio and decided that other schemes offer higher potential returns.  The last straw is thought to be the cost of providing electricity to the site, figures of between £8 and £13 million being suggested.

Redrow’s withdrawal should give Babergh Members and officers pause for thought. Indeed planning authorities generally need to wake up and smell the coffee.   In the heady days of high profitability for house builders, demands for a high percentage of affordable housing, shiny community assets and expensive infrastructure were accepted, albeit reluctantly, by developers.  Those days are past, and are unlikely to return soon.  This is unlikely to be the last disappointment in this area.

Taking the plunge at the Kingfisher next week?

The pool will be closed for maintenance from Monday 11th to Friday 15th March inclusive.

Community engagement, next steps.

The Community Engagement Programme that was undertaken towards the end of last year is beginning to bear fruit.  Between Mid Suffolk and Babergh 560 responses were received from individuals, town and parish councils, businesses and other organisations.

The aim of the Programme was to ensure that councillors understand the needs, issues and aspirations of the Babergh community and to consider how these might be realised in the context of budget constraints and national policy

All the responses have been examined in recent months at a series of workshops for Councillors, along with information from other sources.  This has resulted in the production of a draft vision and draft priorities for each council.

Inevitably such statements, which are produced by a process of consensus, are always a little bland and obvious.  Nonetheless the exercise gives participants the opportunity to focus on what really matters to the majority and to discard hobby horses ridden by some of the more vociferous, but not necessarily representative individuals and bodies.

Babergh’s draft vision has emerged as:  “To create an environment where individuals, families, communities and businesses can thrive and flourish.”  Its draft priorities are to:-

1.     Shape, influence and provide the leadership to enable growth whilst protecting and enhancing our environment.

2.     Shape, influence and provide the leadership to achieve the right mix and supply of housing.

3.     Shape, influence and provide the leadership to support and facilitate active, healthy and safe communities.

We are now moving on to decide how to adapt the council in order to make these aims a reality

Residents also made comments on what was expected from council staff in terms of responsiveness and attitudes.  I am told that many of these comments have already been acted upon, all have been noted and we are working on bringing about the cultural changes required.

Community engagement was not a one-off exercise and both councils wish to continue the dialogue.   If you have any comments, queries or suggestions relating to either Mid Suffolk or Babergh please contact us via the tellus@midsuffolk.gov.uk e-mail address.

Slow down for frogs

We are fast approaching the time of year when Great Waldingfield's frogs make their annual migration across Folly Road to the pond near the school.   As the weather warms up over the next week or so the frog movements will start, and the process will last for five weeks or so.

As usual George Millins and his band of volunteers (more people always needed) will be offering the amphibians a helping hand, or bucket.

Please do try to remember to watch your speed as you travel along the road, particularly in the evenings when the frogs are at their most active.

Is the British political system a safe place for women?

Baroness Fookes, a tough cookie.

This is the question that was asked by a woman on Question Time last week following the claims about unwelcome attentions that were allegedly paid by Liberal Democrat, Lord Rennard. to women colleagues in the past.

On Broadcasting House this morning the same question was put to two women who have enjoyed long careers in the House of Commons and who are now both Life Peers, Janet Fookes and Helene Heyman.  Rather to the disappointment of the interviewer neither Baroness came up with any particularly lurid anecdotes.  They both made the point that if a woman is tough enough to succeed in politics then she should be able to ‘see off’ or ‘laugh off’ all but the most extreme unwanted attention.  Both then went on to say that they had both spent many years trying to encourage more women to become politicians.

  

This task had clearly proved somewhat difficult since the requirement to be ‘tough’ tends to put off many women who are interested in entering the world of politics.  The cause is not helped by high profile examples. For instance, the unsuccessful Conservative candidate at the Eastleigh by-election was mocked by some in the media and elsewhere for tears after the Count.  She was obviously disappointed but it apparently didn't do to show it.

In any event,  it is undoubtedly true that, for whatever reason, politics attracts fewer women than men, and this is the case in Local as in Central Government. 

At Babergh we only have 8 women out of 43 councillors, a percentage of just 18 and a half percent.  This is well below the national average.  The proportion of women councillors at the County Council is higher at almost 30 percent, or 22 female councillors out of 75.

Aspiring female councillors who are interested in Babergh need not be concerned.  The gentlemen Members appear to behave impeccably; a great improvement on the characters that I worked with in the City.   However, I was rather younger then!