Updates from Derek Davis
Stay informed with Babergh district councillor Derek Davis on the latest in Ganges ward and the Shotley peninsula.
Empowering Suffolk: Updates from Ganges Ward
Welcome to Derek Davis Independent. I am Derek Davis, your Babergh district councillor. Here you’ll find updates, blog posts, and insights from Ganges ward on the beautiful Shotley peninsula. Stay informed about our local community and sustainable economy efforts.
Stay informed with Derek’s updates and insights. Community news, council initiatives, and sustainable development projects that make a difference.
Distrct council report June 2025
Time to reap benefits
After years of pain and uncertainty the second phase of the HMS Ganges development is about to get underway, which will see more of the benefits we have been waiting so long to see bear fruit.
Not only do we have the magnificent Ganges mast in all its revamped splendour, but other great additions such as: a brand-new convenience store (probably an East of England Co-op), Nelson Hall being converted into community use with a café and other community uses, a small hotel comprising of six suites in Vincent House, 75 self-contained care units with communal facilities, the repurposing of the swimming pool building into a gym and leisure facilities and the opening up the parade ground as a public open spaces, with views over the Stour estuary.
The planning committee that approved the change of conditions also heard how a Housing Association had agreed to buy 53 units, which will offer many people an opportunity to get on the housing ladder, or right size down from larger homes, with affordable rents, shared ownership and other schemes.
Sadly, the disinformation continues so let me put those straight. There was never a new doctors’ surgery in the plans, there is a contribution from the developers of up to £217,000 to the Integrated Care Board.
Also in the legally-binding S106 agreement are:
Upfront contributions:
- Farmland bird mitigation £2560.86 (in addition to the £20,000 already paid)
- Primary education £437,000 (outstanding amount required as part has already been paid)
- Off-site highway works- £123,500 (outstanding amount required as part has already been paid)
- Travel plan monitoring- £10,000 (already paid)
- Community cycle path- £235,500 (outstanding amount required as part has already been paid)
- Community cycle path (including money previously allocated for foot ferry)- £40,000
Deferred profit share payments:
- Affordable housing- £3,232,977
- Early years education- £121,820
- Cycle path extension- £660,000
- Buzzabout service- £337,000
- Libraries- £74,520
- Bus services- £1,558,000
- Healthcare- £83,980
- Bus stop improvements- £30,000
- Bus real time passenger information- £60,000
So, let’s make the most of the good things coming our way and not listen to the negative, misinformed doom merchants who just like moaning.
The spine road has already started to be built out, starting at Nelson Avenue off the roundabout and going through the site to link up with Shotley Marina with a cycle and public footpath.
Another moan is the main road, there has only ever been one road in and out, just as there was when the ‘new’ estates were built and the reality (along with official data) shows the B1456 is not discernibly busier now than it ever was, especially when it was the A318 right up to the 1980s. Accidents are not caused by roads but usually bad driving, however a commuted sum is part of the process, especially for improvements at Freston crossroads.
Armed Forces Covenant
It was a huge honour to sign the new, beefed up and updated, Armed Forces Covenant for Babergh, which will ensure all our staff will be give training on the importance of the covenant and how it affects all the work, they do along with councillors for our residents. It will also ensure the council is aware of any armed forces connections our officers have, whether that is as a veteran, reservist, or family member, which in turn promoted better understanding and empathy.
The Covenant is not just for local authorities, so I would encourage businesses to sign up and contribute to ensure the serving personnel, their families and all ex-service people are not disadvantaged in any aspect of their lives, including transitioning to Civvy Street, the health service, including dentistry, housing, schools and in the work place.
New Shotley Peninsula Chess Club offering taster sessions
You may have seen Chess Masters: The Endgame on BBC 2 recently, well you too could learn how to play this amazing game, improve your skills, or just have fun playing, with the recently formed Shotley Peninsula Chess Club.
SPCC is running free taster sessions so you can see if it is for you. (Supported by Babergh District Council locality funding).
Keep an eye out for the posters around the villages, and social media posts showing which Mondays in June the club is on. It is always 5pm until 7pm, at Shotley village hall (usually in the committee room, so use the side entrance.) Or contact me on details below.
Contact me:
I’m always happy to give informed updates, so if you want to know what is really going on, ignore the disinformation spread by those that should know better but like to talk nonsense, and ask me direct for the facts.
Alternatively, my Derek Davis – Independent Councillor FB page gives regular updates.
Derek Davis
Ganges ward member
Council phone: 07548153784
Work phone: 07824167196
Derek Davis Independent
Discover the insights and updates from Derek Davis in the Ganges ward.
Derek Davis, Ganges ward (Shotley & Erwarton) September 2024
Pop Up library plea
Friends of Shotley Library are spearheading a campaign to save the Pop Up services which comes to the village hall each Friday.
Used by all ages, from tots to pensioners, Shotley Pop Up Library has been a huge success since we saved it from closure a couple of years ago as Suffolk County Council completely cut ties with the service.
Tory cuts at the county council meant the Pop Up was under threat so the Friends of Shotley Library was set up.
With generous donations from the parish council, Simon Harley, my own locality awards and Babergh support we kept it running for another two years, but that funding is due to run out in October.
As well as the usual book lending, Shotley Pop Up hosts Tot Rock, crafting sessions, LEGO, lunch club, Rural Coffee Caravan and Babergh’s monthly customer service and I’m often there to help deal with problems and queries.
Friends of Shotley Library are looking for more volunteers, fundraising ideas and support from the community so please get in touch either with the chair Shazz Kennedy or myself.
Latest planning, Ganges, Farmside et al.
When the Ganges development, known as Barrelmans point, was granted planning permission in March 2015 it came with a number of infrastructure benefits for Shotley and Erwarton and they are edging ever closer as homes are built.
A change of conditions to that original application will be heard by the planning committee of Wednesday, September 4, open to the public and shown live on You Tube, which will include some demolition for redevelopment to use as a café, retail shop, a gym, indoor recreation, clinic and/or possible museum or exhibition space, older persons accommodation and landscaping. The spine road (Nelson Avenue) will wind its way through the estate and meet up with the Shotley Marina development at the bottom of Laundry Hill, and will allow access to pedestrians and cyclists. (Full details on Babergh planning portal reference: DC/23/04109)
Members of the planning committee visited the site in early August to see for themselves the progress so far, the planned changes and discuss in detail various aspects of the planning application with the developers Wavensmere and galliard, and senior Babergh planning officers. I was there to represent the ward, you the villagers, but it is such a shame that no one from Shotley parish council saw fit to attend the site visit, despite an invitation extended to them, and seemingly prefer to listen to rumour and disinformation than find out the facts first hand from those that actually know them.
Innovation Awards
As part of my brief as the portfolio holder for Babergh’s Thriving and Sustainable Economy, it is a pleasure to see the Innovation Awrads back for another year. We have loads of really good businesses, in Shotley, the peninsula and the district in general and nominations were open throughout August for the nine categories, which will be presented to the winners in November.
Babergh lead way nationally in helping historic buildings go green
Babergh district councils have come up with a scheme to help historic building owners fast-track proposals, such as installing double glazing.
Rather than having to apply for listed building consent, Babergh, which have thousands of listed properties, propose to allow property owners to apply for a local listed building consent order, allowing Grade II-listed building owners to upgrade or replace windows without having to make individual applications, subject to conditions.
In addition, Local Development Orders will allow solar panels and other renewables to be installed on unlisted buildings within the curtilage of any Grade II-listed property, also subject to conditions.
Armed Forces
As part of the Armed Forced Covenant local authorities like Babergh, are committed to ensuring no disadvantage takes place and we do what we can for the parties involved. As your Armed Forces Champion, I’m always prepared to be the first point of call. 24/7.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. It is an important pledge and all involved should make it a tangible benefit and not just to pay lip service to it.
Please feel free to get in touch on all these and any other matter.
I shall be at Shotley village hall on Friday, between 2pm and 3pm. Officers from Babergh district council’s customer services’ team will also be there as part of the pop up library, which has moved from its Monday slot.
I’m always happy to give informed updates, so if you want to know what is really going on, ignore the nonsense on certain Facebook Groups and ask me direct.
Alternatively, my Derek Davis – Independent Councillor FB page gives regular updates.
Derek Davis
Ganges ward member
Council phone: 07548153784
Work phone: 07824167196
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Derek Davis: Promoting the Shotley peninsula’s vibrant essence by working for residents, both in Shotley & Ewarton and the wider district.
Updates from the Stunning Shotley Peninsula
Explore the latest updates from Cllr Derek Davis, keeping you informed and inspired.
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Derek Davis
District Councillor
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Babergh Cabinet
Portfolio Holder
Exceptional commitment to the sustainable growth of Babergh.
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Champion
Contact Derek Davis for updates and insights on the Shotley peninsula.
Derek Davis, Babergh district councillor, shares updates from Ganges ward. Stay informed about local initiatives, sustainable economy efforts, and community events. Join the conversation and make a difference in your community!