In Touch September 2022
District Council Report Cllr John Hinton
East Bergholt Ward.

And still the sun shines and the “forecasted” rain only seems to appear in very small parcels! As an
example “last night” was supposed to be a “wet night” but I only recounted about 10 minutes of
admittedly heavy rain, but it hardly counted as a “wet night”! Still our weather will continue to
fascinate us with all sorts of hypotheses as to why, what and when. One thing is certain it will do
what is wants and when it wants to, without any help from us!
Cabinet has discussed the “tree canopy survey” and the paper before it was really just a report with
no real recommendations. When I challenged this with the Planning Portfolio Holder, he assured me
that when the “Joint Local Plan moves forward there will be a number of “supplementary planning
documents” attached to it which will give weight to the value of trees in our modern environment.
Watch this space as I will certainly be keeping a careful eye on it! Trees take a long time to grow so
“protection” rather than “replacement” should be an important factor.
Having changed hands several times the Moores Lane site for 144 homes is now with David Reason
Homes. They have started a consultation to make some minor changes to the planning permission
and although it looks like a “tick box “ exercise they seem to be trying to make improvements to
what was a severely flawed permission when granted in 2017. Personally I think they should bite the
bullet and resubmit a planning application making the improvements they seem to agree are
necessary. As the permission stands the homes will be potentially difficult to sell so where is the
saving from not resubmitting the application? I urge all who received a leaflet to fill it in and return it
with some “additional” comments as you see fit!
Work on the A12 by National Highways continues at its own leisurely pace. Although I have not
travelled the route (still house bound for a little longer) the online consultation seem to confirm that
it was a relatively low key operation made into a major one to justify employment or that was the
impression given!
The “Parking Strategy” comes before Overview and Scrutiny in October where I am sure we will all
be looking for a “strategy” that addresses the parking difficulties in the villages, where there are no
“Council” owned car parks! Initially ANPR cameras were suggested to regulate payments etc, but it
appears that Local Authorities are not allowed to use them, only private contractors can do so!
Seems a bit strange, a bit like only private individuals can arrest shoplifters and the police are
powerless to do so!
There is a “Suffolk Parking Standard” which the County are responsible for which is supposed to
insure adequate parking provision off road for development. Apparently it was not applied to the
original 144 site, so is part of the new proposals and it also does not appear to apply to the Red
Lion Bed and Breakfast accommodation! I hope the business side of the venture is a success but
overnight parking either on the street or in the Parish controlled car park will be a serous
inconvenience to other village residents. Dare I say that we need some more “joined up thinking” or
am I being too optimistic?
As we move from the “holiday” season into a more awake Westminster atmosphere no doubt
controversy will increase. Anyone looking forward to a new “Fen Bridge”, it is after all due in the
“Autumn”?

Take care and those that are eligible, get your shots and if you see me hobbling around please try to
avoid running me over, I cannot more at full speed yet!!
Cllr John Hinton
5
th
September 2022