The Alde & Ore Association

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Good news for Brick Dock – Developer’s planning appeal rejected

The developer’s appeal against the Suffolk Coast and District Council’s refusal of an application to build 43 houses at Brick Dock, many with views over the estuary, has been turned down. The Public Inquiry ran over six days in September with a good number of local people attending showing the strength of feeling about the proposal. The Association and many of its members individually contributed to the cost of an excellent barrister to put the case against the appeal which was supported by many residents in the estuary and the Aldeburgh Town Council. It is very encouraging that the case shows that we can work to protect the estuary from wholly inappropriate large developments. The Planning Inspector went into considerable detail on all the points made for and against the appeal. She found there were no exceptional circumstances allowing such a major development at the old Brickfields site in the AONB.   For a full copy of her report click here.

Please give us your feedback for our response to the AONB Review

Part of the government’s 25 year environment plan was a commitment to carry out an independent review on the purposes of AONBs and their funding and governance. Association members can review the information here https://consult.defra.gov.uk/land-use/landscapes-review-call-for-evidence/. As the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB includes the Alde and Ore estuary, The Association intends to respond to the call for evidence. We would very much welcome members’ views and input to assist our response. If you have any comment to make please either use the form our website or email Keith Martin at martink345@btconnect.com. Please respond by 10 December so that we can draft our response in time for the 18 December deadline.

Chairman Alison Andrews is winner of volunteer award by Suffolk Coast Forum

Congratulations to Alison Andrews who was the winner of the Sue Allen Memorial Award, Volunteer Category 2018 for her outstanding contributions to Suffolk Coast and Estuary management. The award was presented at the Suffolk Coast & Estuaries 7th Annual Community Conference on Friday 12th October by David Richie, Chairman of Suffolk Coast Forum. In accepting the award, Alison said that it was really for all the many people who worked so hard for the Alde and Ore Estuary.  

Brickdock Appeal hearing completed

The appeal by the developer of the proposed new site at Brick Dock, Aldeburgh has now been heard at a Public Inquiry. The Association gave evidence at the Inquiry supporting the Aldeburgh Town Council’s opposition to the scheme. The Planning Inspector, Lesley Coffey, will be making her recommendation to the Secretary of State shortly, hopefully before Christmas.

Enjoy a Crag Path Christmas and support the Estuary Trust

Join a cast of West End performers in celebration of the rich heritage of this unique Suffolk coastal town and wallow in the Yuletide spirit of the atmospheric Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall, culminating in a festive sing-a-long. Let the Ghosts of Aldeburgh take you through Christmas past, present and future on a joyous celebration of all that makes the season and this seaside special. Bring your friends and family for the gala opening night from 6.30pm on 27th December where tickets priced £30 for adults and £15 for children include a festive drink and nibbles after the show, together with a donation to support the Alde & Ore Estuary Trust. The Trust’s fundraising work supports the upgrade of vital flood defences of the River Alde & Ore, to protect our shared economy, homes and landscapes. Suitable for ages 4 to 104, For full details on the Trust’s site and for online booking, click here.

Environment Agency work at Slaughden

The Environment Agency’s restoration of defences at Slaughden south of the Martello Tower has now been complete ahead of schedule. The storms at the end of September brought more shingle but repairs were still needed. For pictures of previous damage and works to repair it, please click here.

Thank you to all members who opted in for emails

Thank you to all our members who confirmed that they are happy to receive information from the Association by email. This makes it easier for us to get in touch with you and significantly reduces the cost of doing so. The response to the request, which was prompted by the new General Data Protection Regulations, was far in excess of the national average. If you do have an email address but have not confirmed that we may use it, please do so by clicking here. As we mentioned in a recent letter, the  printing and postage costs of a single letter are more than 20% of a single annual subscription to the Association!

Summer Events on the Alde and Ore in 2018 – Barbecue, walk and bike ride

This glorious summer continues with events on the Alde and Ore Estuary. First there is the annual Alde and Ore Association Barbecue on Sunday, 26th August near Ferry Farm, Sudbourne by kind invitation of the Skepper family (not 6th August as originally published with the spring Newsletter).  This is the main social event of the Assocation’s year – book early as places are limited. Then on Friday, 7th September, the second walk of the summer is round the ‘Gedgrave Corner’ including a guided tour of Pinney’s smokehouse and a light lunch at the Orford Sailing Club.  For full details and the application form, click here. Finally, on Saturday, 22nd September, the Alde and Ore Estuary Trust are organising the Four Ferries Charity Bike Ride in aid of the river defences. The total ride is some 42 miles and crosses the four foot ferries of Suffolk including the Association sponsored Butley Ferry. Full details will follow on the Trust’s website www.aoetrust.org, in the near future. Details of all these events can be found under our Events page.

Brick Dock development goes to appeal

BRICK DOCK: PLANNING APPEAL BY DEVELOPER FOR PERMISSION TO BUILD 43 HOUSES Reference_ APP/J3530/W/17/3172629 Brickfield Barns, Saxmundham Road, Aldeburgh, Suffolk The Alde and Ore Association is concerned to protect the estuary and its use and enjoyment for all members of the public. The proposed development at Brick Dock to build a further 43 houses would effectively urbanise that corner of the valley, creating a swathe of roofs, instead of the green country corner, and having windows overlooking the river creating both a built up effect and light pollution both at night and from glinting glass during the day. The larger housing area is also likely to affect the relative tranquillity of the Brick Dock shore affecting the much prized range of habitual migratory and residential birds, the presence of which is acknowledged by the range of natural environment protection designations. The Association has already submitted three full objections to the proposal during the course of its hearings in Suffolk Coastal District Council in 2013, 2015 and 2016. The developer has now taken his case to appeal with the Secretary of State. The Association, as others have done, submitted a further objection against the appeal in 2017. A Public Inquiry will now take place for at least five days beginning Tuesday 11 September. There are many local people, organisations and bodies representing different interests and a single counsel covering all their overlapping interests is being engaged. The Aldeburgh Society has taken on the co-ordinating role of collecting in the funds to meet the costs of some £15,000. Given the need to use money and resources most effectively and the strict planning inquiry process the Association Trustees have decided that the Association’s key concerns to protect the environment can best be met by contributing £1000 to the fund which is being collected on behalf of all by the Aldeburgh Society. Alde and Ore Association members are also invited to contribute directly if they so wish. For further details see the Aldeburgh Society’s website, www.aldeburghsociety.org.uk. Alison Andrews Chairman of the Alde and Ore Association 23 July 2018