Winter storage reservoir at Land At Dumb Boy Cottage, Hollesley

What was proposed

The application proposed a winter storage irrigation reservoir formed by earthworks, with no new permanent buildings and a capacity of about 160,000 cubic metres.

“2.4.Currently, the land is in arable use and forms part of a working farm holding. There are no permanent structures within the application site, although an existing smaller irrigation reservoir and pump house are located nearby and will remain in use. The proposed development seeks to introduce a new engineered reservoir within this open field, which will be integrated into the landscape through earthworks and planting.”

“3.2.The reservoir is designed to store water abstracted during high-flow winter periods under an existing Environment Agency licence, replacing summer abstraction and supporting sustainable irrigation for vegetable production on surrounding farmland.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Statutory consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, including measures for flooding, planting, archaeology, ecology, contamination, noise and the public footpath.

“Conditions Recommended: • Development to be carried out in accordance with the submitted FRA and its mitigation measures. ConsulteeDate consultedDate reply received East Suffolk Environmental Protection29 October 202514 November 2025 Summary of comments: No objection. Noise impacts are unlikely if pumps remain submerged as proposed. If external plant is introduced, a noise assessment will be required. Unexpected contamination must be addressed.”

“Summary of comments: Broadly supportive of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) findings. The proposed landscaping scheme is appropriate and will help integrate the reservoir into the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape. Removal of White Poplar from the species mix is recommended to prevent invasiveness. Conditions Recommended: • Implementation of the proposed landscaping scheme, subject to removal of White Poplar.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The senior planner presented the application, and the applicant explained the reservoir’s farming, environmental and economic benefits; the parish council and ward councillor were absent.

Members’ discussion

Members asked about water sources, contamination, the reservoir’s relationship with nearby homes, its height, depth, farming use and protection of the water table.

“PROW along the boundary that will remain open and any diversion or closure would require separate permission. The nearest residential dwelling was Dumb Boy Cottage. She pointed out the pump house and the small reservoir that was already there. She explained that the landscape was largely flat and no trees would be removed. She showed the boundary between the site and Dumb Boy Cottage and a selection of photos of the site from a variety of viewpoints.”

“Councillor Reeves asked about sewage from the prisons and blue green algae that residents raised concerns about. The applicant explained that the discharge is from an EA sewerage works. This water is required by law to meet certain standards but the EA does not always meet those standards. He thinks this is a relatively rare occurrence and perhaps clutching at straws by an objector.”

Minutes