ipswich.gov.uk

Site ref: IP261 Land at River Hill

We wish to register our strong objection to the proposed site on the grounds of:
loss jobs at the adjacent businesses,
concerns about crime and safety,
provision of links to existing site at West Meadows,
size of site will allow significant expansion over the 5 pitches,
loss of value of property,
safety of access onto Bramford Road,
noise levels and pollution for Gypsies and Travellers next to A14,
impacts on Bramford.

The site location will ensure closure of very successful Clarice House gym and spa with the loss of about 49 jobs and loss of facilities enjoyed by ourselves and many others in Bramford and Ipswich. The small businesses opposite including Lumber Jacks will also be adversely affected.

It is possible on foot to follow the side of the A14 to reach the very close site of West Meadows. The travelling community will make use of this effectively linking the two sites.

We are concerned about safety and crime. The main route for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles from Bramford to Ipswich goes past the entrance and would become unsafe, particularly for pedestrians. The National cycle route 48 also passes the entrance.

The access from the site onto Bramford Road will have to be altered but it is difficult to see how can be safe. The entrances for Clarice House and Lumber Jacks are already a safety risk, making another is unacceptable.

Bramford has recently taken over the management of the water meadows alongside the Gipping. The south part of the meadows joins with Hazel Wood, and close to proposed site on the opposite side of the Bramford Road. The efforts to manage this area as walking area for Bramford and east Ipswich residents are threatened.

The separation between Ipswich and Bramford is becoming eroded with this proposal.

The proposal is stated to be for only 5 pitches, but there is significant room for a vast increase. Looking at a satellite view shows at least 40 houses in a similar area only yards away on the other side of the A14. The council may intend to keep the number of pitches to 5 but the number could increase to fill the plot. In the current demand for housing it is inequitable to provide such a large amount of land to a special part of the community.

For the Gypsies and Travellers themselves this is poor site being next door to the A14 and the railway. If houses were built on the site they can be made with sound proofing, but this is unlikely to be provided with the permanent caravans proposed. The site is lower than the A14, particularly near the entrance, so traffic fumes and pollution will making very unhealthy for the residences of the site.

Bramford already has the Incinerator, power cables, Landmark House and Gypsy and Traveller sites which affect the environment of the village.