ipswich.gov.uk

The Port of Ipswich provides an extensive range of facilities to meet the needs of businesses and industry based in Norfolk and Suffolk. It is the UK's leading grain exporter and largest of ABP's short-sea ports handling containers, dry bulks, forest products, general cargo and offering extensive roll-on roll-off facilities. The total port area (including water) is approximately 275 acres (111 ha) and the Port handles approximately two million tonnes of goods per year. The Port is rail connected and can offer intermodal services from the port to inland facilities including rail terminals such as ABP's own Hams Hall Railfreight Terminal in the Midlands. The Port is also the base for expanding Marina activities. Together with ABP's other East Anglian Ports at Kings Lynn and Lowestoft, the Port contributes some £241m directly into the regional economy and supports 3,577 jobs in the area.

The key strategic challenges for Ipswich identified at paragraph 5.25 of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD Review emphasise the need to manage and gain best benefit from further significant growth in all its forms. This is not restricted to housing - it includes economic activity - including the 'significant role' of the Port which can drive further growth in the region through future expansion (consistent with the Port's recognition in the NALEP Strategic Economic Plan and at paragraphs 5.6, 6.19 and 9.153 - 9.154 of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD Review).

Given that the Core Strategy seeks to focus the provision of a significant number of Ipswich's new homes within central Ipswich (paragraph 6.17), and that important elements of the Port are within or adjacent to central Ipswich, one of the more detailed issues that the Core Strategy and Policies DPD Review should identify is the need for these (sometimes competing) requirements to be sensitively addressed and balanced. This is the context in which ABP's representations are made.

ABP welcomes and supports the definition of its land at the Port of Ipswich (at the West Bank and Cliff Quay) as existing employment areas defined on the policies map and the protection of this land for employment uses. This is consistent with the Port's recognition in the NALEP Strategic Economic Plan as part of the port and logistics 'underpinning sector' for the regional economy and the recognition given in the DPD Review of the strategic role and importance of the Port of Ipswich (at paragraphs 5.6, 6.19 and 9.153 - 9.154).

ABP supports Policy CS13(b).