ipswich.gov.uk

ABP supports the safeguarding of the defined Employment Areas identified in Policy DM25 including, particularly, its land within the Ipswich Port estate at the West Bank (E9) and Cliff Quay (E12). In respect of this policy:

i) The Port estate comprises a large area of land situated within Ipswich, part of which (the Wet Dock) lies immediately adjacent to the central area and within the IP-One regeneration area where the Core Strategy seeks to focus the provision of a significant number of Ipswich's new homes. The Port operates 24 hours a day and normal port operations involve activities (for example, heavy good vehicle movements and lighting used to create a safe working environment) and intermittent noises (such as audible alarms and ships horns) which can potentially cause disturbance and nuisance to occupiers and residents outside but in close proximity to the port estate; and

ii) Within ABP's estate, a number of consents exist under both the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 and the Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987. These consents/licences permit the handling and storage of explosive substances at Ro-Ro Berths 1 and 2 on the West Bank and at the Power Station Berth on Cliff Quay, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances including ammonium nitrate fertilizer at Cliff Quay and in the area around the former Vopak Terminal. The effect of these consents/licences is to potentially restrict the types of uses which are appropriate within defined limits of the areas in which these hazardous activities are permitted. These licenses/consents, and the activities they permit, are an important element of the infrastructure and facilities that the Port is able to offer to its customers and which, therefore, ABP would wish to vigorously safeguard.

In the context of the above, ABP welcomes and supports Policy DM25 and the supporting wording at paragraphs 9.153 and 9.154.

Whilst Policy DM25 will serve to safeguard existing employment areas, it is important that care is exercised when development proposals are brought forward in the vicinity of these areas (consistent, perhaps, with other policies of the DPD) to ensure that this new development does not prejudice existing employment uses and business operations which are "appropriately located" (consistent with the key strategic challenges for Ipswich identified at paragraph 5.25). ABP requests, therefore, that the local planning authority does not apply the policies of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD Review uncritically and in isolation in exercising its development control functions.

Support for Policy DM25.