Exhibition for Ganges future

A COMMUNITY is considering its options today as it prepares for a consultation on a controversial housing scheme.

Villagers in the Shotley Peninsula successfully fought against plans to build 325 homes on the former HMS Ganges site in Shotley Gate which were rejected following a public inquiry.

Now developers Haylink and Galliard Homes are holding a public exhibition which will showcase their new ideas and designs for the land.

These include a 404-home 'retirement community' which already has planning permission, and a new application for a residential and mixed use development that the developers hope will overcome the objections to their last proposal.

This exhibition on the future of the site is taking place next Friday from 3pm to 8pm and next Saturday from midday to 4pm on the HMS Ganges site.

Richard Wrinch, chair of Shotley Parish Council, said: “The new plans are a more suitable mix of housing and employment possibilities than last time.

“They should create less peak traffic movements and also perhaps help with affordable and retirement housing for the peninsula.

“It is still fair to say that whatever is developed on the site will create further traffic on the B1456 - no easy way out of that one - which will always impinge on people living on, or near, the road.

“Whatever is finally built there will not please everyone but I believe that many people recognise that the site has to be developed.

“I would encourage all people who have a view on the site development to go and see what is being proposed at the consultation.”

For more information visit www.myshotley.com.

What do you think should be done with the HMG Ganges site? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.