Rushmere Update

Campaigning has continued in the ward and on Monday we had a walkabout on Rushmere estate and spoke to a number of residents, many of the issues concerned the poor state of the roads on the estate.
Bristo's garage in Woodbridge Road have had two planning applications in, they wanted to demolish a house in Belvedere Road - this was refused. they have gained planning permission to build 14 houses on the site of their old car showrooms - this was passed but after a number of changes to the original plan. I passed on a number of residents concerns to Bristo's and the planners and this new development will see the retention of the wall backing onto Khartoum Road. The developers will also build a bus shelter on Woodbridge Road.
I have also been campaigning in Whitehouse and St Johns.
A number of my fellow Labour activists were in the town centre today to help celebrate the 60th birthday of the NHS.

Back delivering!

Less than a month since the election and it was back on the streets of Rushmere delivering a leaflet. This time I could put down Councillor rather than just campaigner!

Two leaflets went out, the first on the proposed housing development on the site of the old Bristo's Garage on Woodbridge Road. 14 Town houses are planned for this site, I had submitted concerns from the residents of Khartoum Road, Brunswick Road and Stuart Close in December and this helped lead to the planning application being withdrawn in January. The new application has addressed many of the residents earlier concerns.

The second leaflet gave residents information about my meeting with the local Police Inspector for North East Ipswich, the meeting was to discuss a number of matters including the concerns of residents from one street who have become the target for a group of youngsters who have been acting in a very anti social way.

A reminder to all residents of Rushmere Ward, that you have an opportunity to discuss issues that concern us all at the next North East Forum, you will be able to speak to the local police, Councillor's and other agencies. the meeting takes place on the 5th June at 7pm, the location: Ransomes Social Club in Sidegate Avenue

You may even get a chance too see some cricket, if you come to the forum meeting!

Houses not Flats needed in Ipswich

On Monday in Ipswich saw the start of the debate on the Local Development Framework.

Like the rest of the country, Ipswich needs more homes but it is family homes- houses- that are required- in Ipswich it just seems to be flats that are being built.

Maybe that is understandable on the waterfront and in the area of the new university, but elsewhere it just seems that the Tories wish to put as many flats on any brown field site in the town.

In Rushmere we may see development in two locations, on the site of Bristo's Garage on Woodbridge Road and also on the site of the office block next to the Fire Station on Colchester Road.

I also would like to see development on these sites but just houses and with a good percentage of affordable homes. More flats are not needed!

The Bristo's site will also lead to even more traffic entering Woodbridge Road- we already have the Hayhills development and that looks like it may also be extended into the site of the BT establishment and the old driving test centre.

I will keep local residents informed of any news on either development.

Do we have two many flats in Ipswich? Just drive along Yarmouth Road, and they have not even finished the flats there and the place is already littered with "For Sale" and "To Let" signs- we could be left in Ipswich with a large number of empty flats.