Wind Turbine Proposed for the Port of Ipswich

Associated British Ports (ABP) has proposed erecting a commercial wind turbine on land at the Port of Ipswich opposite The Strand (planning reference DC/26/03279). This local commercial proposal follows other historical local turbine projects and massive offshore wind developments surrounding the Suffolk.

ABP's application (DC/26/03279) targets port-associated land opposite The Strand to integrate onsite renewable generation.

Please find links below for further information on the proposed project.

/assets/Wind-turbine/Presentation-August-2026-V6.pptx

/assets/Wind-turbine/ABP-Ipswich-wind-turbine-project-15-07-24.pdf

 

 


 

District Councillor’s Report for September

The planning committee meets again on the 2nd of September to discuss and ultimately determine 3 locations of interest in Gt Cornard, the old council offices in Hadleigh and a farmhouse in Hitcham for decision making, also included is training provided for the latest update to the NPPF which will follow that meeting.

There was an update provided on the government’s Unitary Authorities which ultimately come into effect in 2028 there was a time table provided, there has already been the structural changes this Summer to prepare for, this autumn will see this established into law with elections in May 2027 for the new authorities, this will then from June 2027 to March 2028 provide the transition and integration phase with April 2028 being Vesting day whereupon new Unitary Authorities will assume full legal powers and operations.

That is at least what is meant to happen in theory, all different councils across the country will have to prepare and adopt the above powers into full law and Govt may well have to provide assistance to reorganise this legislation so that it can be fully adopted by 2028.

This transition period for June 2027 to March 2028 will be the most major change adopting budgets that have to be agreed to, setting up new systems of governance, ensuring the new services are smoothly transferred over and finally how the new councils will operate from April 2028.

Until then normal services will continue to be provided with transition work continuing in the background.

Last month I attended a public meeting in Wherstead regarding APB Ferries proposals to build a Wind Turbine standing at 150 metres, on their land which is roughly 3 times the height of the Orwell Bridge.

This is at the moment only in pre planning stage and has yet to be produced as an application, but it’s important that residents both nearby Piper’s Vale and Gainsborough in Ipswich as well as Whersted, Freston, Woolverstone and Chelmondiston which will see the structure best are informed now as much as possible and have the opportunity to express their own view.  As District Councillor I will continue to give as much background and information to Parishes as possible.

The local media and the MP for South Suffolk is already aware, I’ve yet to be asked by the local press my own thoughts, but they are to reflect what residents themselves think of the proposals and that is my major consideration above all else as District Councillor for the ward.

I was pleased to see that The Oyster Reach has now been saved, thanks to a restructuring agreement made by the owners going forward, I was asked my own views on this which obviously were positive and about the hospitality industry as a whole, which has been suffering, VAT rates are difficult to afford and that is challenging, there is a great deal needed to assist chains in trouble by local and national government, I also think Pubs need the flexibility to be able to think outside the box when it comes to putting on events that can help to fundraise for the future, as well as to recognise the importance they represent to their communities now more than ever.

Babergh and Mid Suffolk were given a Silver award for commitment to the Armed Forces community including reservists, cadets, veterans adult volunteers and their own families so it is a valuable recognition for this work.

This was awarded by the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and follows the commitment last year in 2025 to re-sign to the Armed Forces Covenent ensuring that no member of the armed forces community is treated unfairly and given the platform as a direct result of their service to achieve what they want from it. 

There have been repeated objections to the Norwich to Tilbury Pylons scheme by Babergh and Mid Suffolk towards National Grids Plans, the scheme is recommended to be halted because of the devasting impact this would have on owners of land, homes, businesses, the local environment, heritage, landscape and the residential communities that would reside on the line, although 21km is reserved for underground cabling in the Dedham Vale district the vast majority of overground line is too much to ignore and both councils in Babergh and Mid Suffolk have cited their objections to National Grid.

The Big Conversation on Adult Social Care was addressed by both leaders of Suffolk councils of Babergh and Mid, the current system is broken and needs change, this will not be easy without investment and how that should be paid for, there is an online platform on the Casey Commision Website which is garnering views both of the public and of councils led by Baroness Louise Casey.

Finally Suffolk residents can have the opportunity to replace their existing heating systems with new heat pumps via Suffolk’s public sector organisations for Oil, Gas or LPG boilers with a heat pump covering £7,500 to £9,000 of government grant money dependent on which heating fuel is used, with group buying savings made on the installation of these.

For more information on this offer, visit the Babergh and Mid Suffolk website under news and events.

 

Cllr Daniel Potter

District Councillor for Orwell

Babergh District Council