Chair’s Welcome
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. It was agreed to hold the meeting just outside the village hall so that everyone could witness the solar eclipse.
- Present
- Cllr. James Hardy (Chair) Cllr. Terry Mee Cllr. Alan Perry Lydia Kindred (clerk) 2 members of public
- Apologies
- Cllr. Linda Montgomery & Cllr Leslie Judd sent apologies for their absence and these were accepted. Cllr. Chris Hurlock was absent
Declaration of Interests
None
Minutes of Meeting Held on 22nd July 2026
These were approved as a true record and signed by the Chair.
Matters Arising
None
Public Forum
A member of public spoke about application DC/26/2623/EIA and the reasons he thinks a full Environmental Impact Assessment is needed.
The other resident spoke about the approved Ancona solar application at Glevering, the planning conditions, curtailment figures and his hope that when the ecology report is updated the buffer zones might be amended in line with advice from the Forestry Commission.
Chair’s Report
The Chair reported on conversations with a Councillor from Marlesford regarding potential improvements to cycling and walking routes between local parishes, funded by Sizewell C. There is a meeting to discuss this further in September.
Clerk’s Report
The clerk reported on communications advising that Balance Power has merged with Supernova Power and that additional information has been provided regarding the BESS application adjacent to the substation. There is an updated Visual Impact Assessment and Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage System. Confirmation has been received that the application will not be resubmitted, and that the planning decision is expected in October.
An email has been received & circulated about the Ancona application sharing information from the Forestry Commission regarding potential new buffer guidelines.
Planning Applications Discussed
DC/26/0377/OUT Land Southwest of Ash Road & North & East of Mill Lane Campsea Ashe
Outline Application (All Matters Reserved except for access) - Development of up to 110 dwellings (Use Class C3), up to 550sqm office accommodation (Use Class E(g)(i)), a 40-space public car park, associated infrastructure, public open space, sustainable urban drainage systems and landscaping.
Councillors were disappointed to note that Hacheston Parish Council had not been consulted on the application, despite Lower Hacheston being immediately adjacent to the site and the main access route passing through the village.
Councillors considered the scale of the proposed development to be out of keeping with the character and scale of Campsea Ashe and raised serious concerns about the impact on traffic and highway safety, both during construction and once the development is completed, especially through Lower Hacheston where there are already significant issues with traffic.
Councillors also questioned whether the development could reasonably be considered sustainable. They felt that too much reliance had been placed on the proximity of the railway station when assessing sustainability, whereas in practice many residents would be dependent on cars. Concerns were raised that the existing footpaths and cycle routes in and around the development would not be sufficient to support the proposed level of development.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would object to the application, principally on the grounds of its scale, sustainability and the likely impact on local traffic and highway infrastructure.
DC/26/2623/EIA EIA Screening
For the installation and operation of a solar development and battery energy storage system with associated equipment and necessary infrastructure. Land North of Kettleburgh Road Easton & Land South Of The Street Letheringham
Councillors were disappointed to note that Hacheston Parish Council had not been consulted on the application, despite considerable lengths of the proposed cable route passing through Hacheston. Councillors considered that the construction works would have a significant impact on the village and its residents for extended periods of time.
It was noted that the proposed cable trench would be approximately 2 metres wide and 2 metres deep, and that the scale of the associated works could result in considerable disruption.
Councillors agreed to ask East Suffolk Council to require a full Environmental Impact Assessment covering the whole development and all associated infrastructure, including the proposed cable route and its impact on Hacheston and neighbouring communities.
Planning Decision Noted
DC/25/2997/FUL Erection of a Solar Photovoltaic Installation of 20 MW output Land South of Easton Lane Glevering Park House Glevering Estate IP13 0EX- permitted
Date of Next Meeting
3rd September (Note this has been changed from 16th.)
The Chair thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting at 7.40pm.
Signed ……………………………… Date……………………………