Weavers Meadow (Phase 1b), which is currently under construction, follows on from our initial (adjacent) development in Hadleigh (Phase 1a) which comprised 170 dwellings. Phase 1b commenced in June 2021 and provides a further sustainable, inclusive and mixed community of 170 new homes and includes 60 affordable homes.
Sustainable features have been incorporated into the development, including 10% of energy from renewable sources, electric vehicle charging points, wildlife habitats and water features, new cycle and pedestrian connections through the site which links to the new PROW network and a gym trail.
£550,000 of financial contributions for the local community have been secured through a Section 106 agreement to be used towards community facilities, the delivery of new, enhanced or improved public footpaths and strategic highway improvements. Further monies will be secured by Suffolk County Council through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which will allow the expansion of the pre-school, primary and secondary schools.
The northernmost part of the site benefits from outline planning permission for employment uses (approved alongside the residential proposals). The site will be gifted to Babergh District Council and will generate 10,000 sq ft of employment uses, comprising shops, food and drink outlets and office space. Babergh District Council is actively promoting this site.
At 16th September 2022, 139 of the units are occupied and the site will be completed towards the end of 2022.
Construction Hours
As approved under the Planning Permission and in the Construction Management Plan, no noise intrusive work shall take place outside the hours of 07:30-18:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00-13:00 on Saturdays. No work shall take place on Sundays or Bank Holidays. A copy of the approved Construction Management plan is attached for reference.
Following complaints about operations outside the approved hours, Persimmon undertook to ensure that this would not continue and posters have been erected in key areas of the site office to remind employees and contractors of the necessity to adhere to the stipulated hour. Letters were also sent out to all our external contractors and suppliers.
In addition and to avoid disturbance, we took the decision to cease all weekend working for six weeks during the summer holidays. This period has now passed and we now intend to recommence work within the approved hours, as specified above.
The Local Planning Authority and local Ward Member have been advised of this and we will continue to work with residents, the Council and the Ward Member to monitor the situation.
A similar condition will be imposed on the soon to be approved Phase 2 development to the south which was presented to the planning committee on 12th December 2021. Once construction on this site commences, the site compound will be moved to a new location to the south of the existing site.