North lake at Cockfield Hall Estate Station Road, Yoxford

What was proposed

The application sought a water body for irrigation, habitat creation, drainage and recreation as part of a wider tourism masterplan.

“DC/23/4866/FUL - North Lake, Cockfield Hall Estate, Station Road, Yoxford, IP17 3ET The Committee received report ES/2622 which related to planning application DC/23/4866/FUL. The application sought full planning permission for the creation of a water body to be used for irrigation of new forestry plantations, habitat creation, sustainable drainage and recreational use as part of the wider tourism development.”

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The recommendation

Approval was recommended subject to the conditions set out in the officer report.

“It was recommended that the application be approved in line with the conditions in the Officer’s report.”

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What consultees said

Highways recommended approval subject to a construction management plan, while ecology sought protection measures and other consultees raised no objection.

“JP Chick response to LLFA - 26th April 2024 ConsulteeDate consultedDate reply received SCC Highways Department12 January 20247 March 2024 Summary of comments: This application has an illustrated masterplan attached that will be commented on in application DC/23/4684/OUT. Once the LLFA holding objection is removed, SCC highways recommend approval subject to a Construction Management Plan Condition.”

Officer report

Concerns raised

The Parish Council raised concerns about flooding, lake depth, wildlife, dogs, events, public safety and long-term management.

“He told the Committee that the estate was proud of their management of lakes at Heveningham and Sibton, but Sibton had flooded spectacularly in recent years. They were both a mile from local residents but at Yoxford there was sometimes only 50 metres from residents. The lakes were forever and will need to be managed in years to come. The newest lake was not shown on the site visit, this was because it had reed infestation and was dug out with diggers.”

“He took the senior nature warden from Orfordness to compare. Orfordness was half closed to visitors during breeding season, but this was not the case on the estate. Uncontrolled public and dogs in the breeding season did not encourage wildlife, nor would the lakes with sports activities and the only birds that would visit were ducks and wood pigeons. Rare birds would be left to fend for themselves amongst dogs and…”

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Who spoke

An objector was unavailable, a Parish Council representative spoke, the applicant addressed the Committee, and a ward councillor raised questions.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed borehole licensing, archaeology, public safety, lake design, management, tree loss and information they considered necessary.

“Councillor Ewart had some questions to raise as she felt the Committee report lacked some information. She referred to the volume of soil and clay to be extracted and where that would go. Did the borehole impact other farms or not and what measures were in place for public safety, given the depth of the water.”

“The Chair added that there would need to be sufficient safety information and this would be considered in the balance.”

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The decision

The Committee approved the application, subject to conditions covering plans, ecology, construction, archaeology and recreational activities.

“That the application be APPROVED Subject to conditions listed below.”

“Prior to first recreational use of the lake details of the recreational activities proposed shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The lake shall thereafter be used in accordance with the approved details.”

Minutes