Babergh district council planners today voted against the opportunity for people wanting to rent social housing in Shotley.

By agreeing with a planning officer's recommendation, the committee effectively ended any hopes of more social housing coming to Shotley after an application for 43 homes, including 15 allocated for affordable rent or buying in refusing.

Much needed ten bungalows were also included in the scheme, that offered wide open spaces, along with a wildflower meadow and play area, all open to the public.

The recommendation was so poor, the five reasons for refusal was pared down to just one, by the time the relatively inexperienced committee voted, but was still carried by seven voted to four.

Scheme would have included 15 affordables for housing association

From the five reasons given only number one, outlined in the committee paper: 'The site is located outside the Built Up Area Boundary of Shotley and is therefore classified as countryside and countrary to the NPPF policy,' was actually put forward as the policy backing the recommendation to refuse.

It is anticipated the applicants will appeal, which will be defended at a cost to Babergh (including Shotley) tax paying residents.

Ganges ward member Derek Davis, who represents all villagers from Shotley and Erwarton said: "It is sad that from now on I will have to respond negatively to the many people looking to live in Shotley by getting into affordable accommodation, run by a housing association.

"I know from my inbox, and other residents' concerns, there is a definite need for affordable rented, and other social housing in Shotley and beyond, this has killed that opportunity.

"But hey, at least a few relatively rich people will get to keep their views."

Councillors pointed out that it was possible to ensure Shotley people would be able to get priority to the allocated affordable housing run by a housing association and highlighted precedents.

Cllr Margaret Maybury used an example in Chilton Wood where this had been done.

Good example of social housing for those with Shotley conection (Picture: Nub News)

He had also negotiated with babergh's strategic housing team that five of the eight new homes built in Queensland were allocated to those with Shotley connections.

Despite around two dozen objectors to the scheme at the meting, mainly those that live nearby, none were prepared to read out a statement on their behalf which was instead read out by parish clerk Dina Bedwell, who is paid by the whole village, after she read out the council's objection, which bore little resemblance to those set out at the meeting that agreed to object.

Once again Cllr Davis pointed out how many people were against the development, and told the committee: "In an ideal world we would have no more development in Shotley, or indeed the peninsula - full stop.

"There are concerns over traffic, infrastructure and the effects of further development.

"However, if we are to have now development then this is probably as good a scheme we are going to get, If we do not get this social housing provision now, we probably never will."

Pre-application advice from Babergh officers had indicated they would have been happy with a linear approach (abounding alongside the main road) but were not happy with the design pit forward, which, ironically, was praised by many committee members.

New planning application for Shotley...