A140 Brome service station outline plans given approval

Members of the Mid Suffolk District Council planning committee gave the proposals for land off the A140 in Brome the green light on Wednesday, subject to conditions. 

Conditions include approving reserved matters before the project can commence, the baseline of water discharge quality to be agree, tree protection measures to include protection of oak saplings and a noise assessment and a construction management plan. 

Part of the proposals, submitted by Wilkinson Planning, on behalf of RH Developments (East Anglia) Ltd, include plans for a truck stop.

Councillor James Patchett, of Mid Suffolk District Council (Image: Mid Suffolk District Council) Concerns had been raised regarding an Essex & Suffolk Water moratorium which is currently in place in the area, and will be in operation until 2033. 

Under the conditions put in place by the water board, new non-domestic supplies will be prohibited.

James Patchett, councillor for Stow Thorney, said: "In my eyes, they are going to use extra water. You're bringing people in who want to use water. 

"Irrespective of what anyone says, this is a non-domestic site. They are selling toilets and shower facilities to people. Showers aren't a by-product of what is there. They are selling showers to people. They are selling them water. That is what this site is.

"This isn't domestic - this is non-domestic. The water moratorium should be enforced and we should refuse it." 

Previous concerns regarding drainage, the disposal of water and flooding were also addressed in the meeting.

Sarah Mansel, councillor for Elmswell and Woolpit and chair of the planning committee, said: "I think we have got the best assurance that we can about the drainage issue. As long as it is monitored afterwards to check that it is working as expected, I am not sure what else we can do.

"We have been assured by our floods expert and the planning team that it is going to better than it is now. I don't think we can refuse it on drainage grounds."