Ufford 2020

“ To serve the village and find out its requirements for the future” This was the mission statement which was agreed at the first meeting of the Ufford Parish Plan steering group held on 15 September 2006 . It sounds simple doesn`t it?. In fact the process will be a major task, but one to which those who contribute may find rewarding and fun.

LATEST NEWS!  

Due to the file size of the Parish Plan Final Report we are unable to have it as a downloadable document. If you would like an electronic copy sent to you please  click here. 
 

The Parish Plan was completed in December and full copies are now being delivered to the various stakeholders. These include the Parish Council, our County Councillor, relevant sections of our local authority; including planning sections and The Local Development Framework Task Force (LDF), rural agencies such as Suffolk Acre our main sponsor, the police force, defra, and principle employers. There are only a few changes from the summary version of the plan which was received by villagers in the July edition of the Ufford Punch.

Villagers will recall that one of the main purposes of the plan was to inform the LDF of their hopes for the future of Ufford. Those who have read the latest edition of Coastline, Suffolk Coastal`s information bulletin, will be aware that initial proposals for the expansion of the village are totally inconsistent with these hopes. The responsibility for implementing the Plan`s proposals fall to the Parish Council. As explained elsewhere in the Punch they will be making strong representations based on the Plan to the appropriate bodies. The Parish Council will also liaise with the other stakeholders where necessary.

During the course of the Plan`s preparation the economic cycle has swung from “boom to bust”. Indeed, one wonders whether there will be any builders left to construct the vast number of houses planned for the region. And if there are, the housebuilders` trade organisation has made it clear that they will be unable to contribute financially towards the cost of social housing. Perhaps a moderation in the pace of the development ambitions born in a period of unsustainable expansion would be welcomed by the village, which attached greater importance to the quality of life.

The Plan has taken over two years to prepare. It has involved over twenty meetings of the Steering Group and much additional work such as analysis, drafting, and communicating with you all. It also covers a wide number of topics other than property development. I would like to thank all members of the Steering Group for their continued support, time and enthusiasm for the project. We are also grateful for the financial backing of Suffok Acre, Defra, County Councillor Clare Aitchison, and the Parish Council. The cost to villagers worked out at about 50p per head.

The views expressed in The Plan are not necessarily those of the Steering Group. They are those of the village: 82% of you took the trouble to answer the 75 questions contained in the questionnaire. These questions evolved from the well attended consultations that preceded it. The Steering Group have done their best to reflect your impressive support.

 

John Mann

December 2008.