Community centre extension at Community Centre Timperleys, Hintlesham, Ipswich

The site and surroundings

The community centre has parking, protected and ancient woodland nearby, listed buildings across the highway, and a public right of way to the east.

“The application site is occupied by the existing Hintlesham and Chattisham Community Centre and associated car parking area and is located within the defined Hintlesham settlement boundary as established through the previous development plan. It is noted that within the draft neighbourhood plan, the community centre would be located outside of the proposed settlement boundary.”

“The site is identified as being surrounded by a group Tree Preservation Order (TPO) BT124/W1, which covers the woodland west of the building which wraps around the corner of the highway. This is also identified as being an ancient woodland.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered the community centre and its vehicle access and parking in 1986 and 1989.

“REF: B//85/01095 OUTLINE - ERECTION OF COMMUNITY CENTRE AND CONSTRUCTION OF VEHICULAR ACCESS OFF TIMPERLEYS (AS AMENDED BY LETTER DATED 18/12/85) DECISION: GRA 25.07.1986”

“REF: B//89/00731 ERECTION OF NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE WITH CONSTRUCTION OF VEHICULAR ACCESS AND ASSOCIATED CAR PARKING AS AMENDED BY THE APPLICANTS REVISED DRAWING NO. 29/10/D RECEIVED ON 06.11.89 AND FURTHER AMPLIFIED BY THE APPLICANTS LETTER DATED 06.11.89 DECISION: GRA 09.11.1989”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, environmental health and ecology raised no objection subject to conditions; communities supported the improvements, while the parish council made no comment.

“SCC - Highways Comments Received - 27/10/2025 No objection subject to conditions.”

“Environmental Health - Noise/Odour/Light/Smoke Comments Received - 24/10/2025 No objection subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Public representations

No letters, emails or online comments had been received when the report was prepared.

“At the time of writing this report 0 letters/emails/online comments have been received. An update shall be provided as necessary either via Tabled Papers or verbally at the meeting.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The case officer presented the proposal, and the ward member addressed the committee.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed the need for more social space, visitor numbers, site constraints and sound impacts on meeting rooms.

“Members debated the application on issues including: the need for an extended social area at the Community Centre, the current visitor numbers, the constraints of the site, and the sound impact on meeting rooms within the centre.”

Minutes

The vote

A proposal to approve the application was made, seconded and carried unanimously.

“Councillor Holt proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the Officer’s recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Reece.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions covering the works, ecology, biodiversity, cycle parking and construction controls, plus two informatives.

“That Members resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the following conditions and informatives and any others as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Planning Officer:”

“Commencement time limit • Approved plans and documents • Compliance with Preliminary Ecological Appraisal & Preliminary Roost Assessment • Biodiversity enhancement measures • Cycle parking • Construction hours • Prohibition on burning • Construction management statement…”

Minutes