The Castle Point Plan; closing date 16 Sep 2024

Dear friends,

Here is my painting of Farmer Howard baling the barley straw whilst cutting The Valleys at Hadleigh (the traditional name for the top field by the London Road). I hope it brings a smile to your face.

How many of us as little children would pester our parents, “Are we nearly THERE, yet?” and then shout out, “Daddy, Daddy, I can see the SEA!”?  I’ve been to some beautiful places but this remains one of my favourite views.

It appears that our Green Belt is in jeopardy. Many in government think it has served its purpose and that it’s time to revise our planning legislation. The building industry is holding its breath and dribbling at the very prospect and impecunious landowners are dreaming of untold riches at the end of the rainbow.

Whatever your views are about the sanctity of Green Belt, there is no doubt that not enough homes are being built in our country (although the reasons for that are by no means straightforward). How many will be built in Hadleigh is yet to be determined, though the Government’s expectation seems unreasonable to most living hereabouts.

Returning to ‘The Valleys’…
Much of the Salvation Army Farm has become surplus to theIr requirements, for they no longer wish to be farmers. This makes the field peculiarly vulnerable: it is an asset and needs to return a dividend. Therefore it must be sold! Alternatively, some way must be found for the owner (current or new) to reap some proportionate financial return on their investment which doesn’t involve covering it in concrete.

Put your thinking caps on, or my painting will become a historical document.  The new Local Plan Consultation Document is much more user-friendly that the dreary previous one (and it can be completed over multiple sittings if you tire). I found it almost FUN to do, but don’t quote me!

This was the access route to the consultation;  now closed.
Also,  the Issues and Options Document, as well as associated consultation documents can be viewed at the following locations during normal opening hours from 29 July:  note the closing date for thoughts;  16th September 2024.