DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT TO PARISH COUNCIL
September 2026
Hills Development Heath Road
I have spoken to the planning officer about the stalled development next to the doctor’s surgery.
The new application, originally for 99 homes (up from 75) has been in the system for months
now. There is progress. The developer now has a design specialist on board who has been
engaging with Babergh’s design experts . The latter strongly challenged the poor design of the
new application, the inappropriate density of dwellings and the urban character of the scheme.
Now that the developer is aware that Babergh (and indeed our parish council) will not accept
poor design, the scheme has been improved, especially in relation to open public spaces and
the space allocated to the nursery. The number of extra houses has been reduced and the mix
of housing has changed.
In relation to the footpath from the donkey track to the co-op, this has become more important
since we learned that the pharmacy will be relocating to the co-op building. For those who live
in certain parts of the village, it now means an unpleasant walk or the inevitable car journey to
reach the shop. I have asked that the path is made a priority. It is included in the ‘phase two’
part of the development so we will have to wait until work starts on the second part so it can be
incorporated into the layout. The vexed question of the swimming pool is still up in the air. On
9 September, I am meeting Abbeycroft, who run the sports centre and the two swimming pools
in Babergh to discuss the viability of a pool in East Bergholt. I will report verbally on this at the
parish council meeting.
New National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
The government, for all its talk of taking power from the central government, continues to make
changes to the national overarching policies which affect how we make our local plan and how
we make planning decisions at Babergh. It has become an annual event to tinker with these
policies which is frankly unhelpful. We now have a final version of the new NPPF which is now
in force and there is a creeping centralisation in evidence removing powers from local planning
authorities in the name of ‘growth’, otherwise known as unrealistic and pointless housing
targets. (I try to keep this report neutral but I feel very strongly about this). Neighbourhood
Plans are also affected. I will be able to give you more detail next month about how this affects
our Neighbourhood Plan.
Village Assembly
This will take place on 24 September at the Lambe School. I am not expecting parish
councillors to attend, unless they are representing a village organisation. Space might be tight.
We have invited 40 organisations and I will report back at the next parish council meeting.
Idaway
The Babergh property on Foxhall Close called Idaway is now going to provide accommodation
for single people who have been made homeless. After consultation with the neighbouring
residents, it was decided that the property and location are unsuitable for families after a family
was placed there temporarily. The property benefits from being accessible which means single
people with disabilities can be provided with decent temporary accommodation while they are
found more permanent homes. I have been very impressed with the Babergh housing team who

run Idaway. They have shown a great deal of consideration for the neighbouring residents and
have taken their views into account when making decisions.
Water stoppage
A very unusual event took place on 20 August. Residents on the eastern side of the village along
with residents around the Cattawade area lost their water supply. I have spoken to Anglian
Water who told me that it was lorries from Sizewell C taking water from a source in Cattawade
which lowered the pressure and led to the loss of water in surrounding homes. This is illegal
and Anglian Water are taking steps to ensure it does not happen again.
However – one of the residents affected contacted Sizewell C who stated that “The team take
such concerns incredibly seriously and have thoroughly investigated our contractors
operations. They have determined on the basis of available information that the report does not
relate to Sizewell C activity and have closed their investigation.” The mystery deepens…..

Self-build register
Babergh District Council has a Self-Build Register which helps the strategic housing
team and planners to understand how many people would like to build their own home.

If you know any friends, family, or residents in the districts thinking about building their
own home – please encourage them to register their interest on our self-build register.

Alternatively, if you know an architect, builder or contractor who regularly works in
Babergh and Mid Suffolk please do mention it so they can make their clients aware. Go to
the Self-Build and Custom House Building page on the Babergh DC website.

Strength and balance classes
As part of a partnership with the NHS, strength and balance classes continue to take place each
week across our district, designed to help older residents feel stronger and more stable on their
feet. Around a third of people aged 65 and over, and around half of people aged 80 and over,
fall at least once a year. Falling is a cause of distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence and loss of
independence. One way of reducing the risk is exercise.
There is a class at the Constable Hall on Tuesdays from 1145am to 1245pm. Call Activlives on
01473 345350 or you can refer yourself here: www.activesuffolk.org/strength-and-balance
Or talk to your GP who can refer you.

Councillor Sallie Davies
Sallie.davies@babergh.gov.uk