The Suffolk Preservation Society (established in 1929) is the county branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Although East Anglia is one of the most rural regions in England, the traditional rural-based system has changed vastly in the last forty years both in the country, villages and towns. Five hundred years ago Suffolk was the centre of the wool trade, and its wealth ensured the solid construction of huge Churches and solidly built timber frame houses. Much development has been beneficial and necessary, as the traditional agricultural economies have declined.Suffolk has two conflicting requirements. It has the potential for major development, but has towns, villages and countryside of exceptional beauty.
Please join us and help to safeguard the county as it faces change. If you join the Campaign to Protect Rural England you are automatically a member of the SPS.
The challenge for Suffolk, and the Society Richard Ward -
Special Events - full details from 01787 247179
Your local cherished scene or view of Suffolk may well disappear in the near future! The very rural identity of Suffolk and appearance of your town or village is at risk as never before. Make no mistake - we are at a watershed. Planning is about balancing conflicting interests and needs. It is a tool for managing `change' which is inevitable. It seeks to ensure the proper management of land which is a finite resource. The planning system offers an opportunity for the Society to influence were change takes place and its form, and much of our important work is focused on this. One might get the feeling that the whole planning and local government system is now being stacked against those wanting to keep the English countryside special for all to enjoy. Once a county's identity and special character is lost it is lost forever. There will be no magic wand, scheme, project, initiative, package, hit squad, special measures, EC funding or assistance from Brussels which will undo the mass-building programme which is being thrust upon us without researched analysis for need. The Society is now, more than ever before, the vanguard of those protecting the very essence of what makes this county so attractive and special and it needs to be! It is at the heart of ensuring that changes respect and not erode it. It is for these reasons that the Society's Conference in October, `Suffolk under Pressure', will examine many of these issues which will shape our County
Conference for Amenity Societies in Suffolk, 29th September
Haughley Park Barn
Much of our work is carried out in partnership with other bodies. This event considers the sharing of the knowledge, experience and support of SPS, and the possibility of drawing together representatives from Suffolk Amenity Societies on matters that are of concern to all of us.
One Day Conference October 20th 2004 Suffolk under Pressure
Haughley Park Barn, 9.30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Members £25 Keynote speaker The Rt. Hon John Gummer MP
Issues for the Society
More roads
Unavoidable growth of road traffic in our county will necessitate continuing improvements in the road system. SPS aims to ensure that these are carried out with maximum sensitivity. Planned expansion of the ports at Harwich and Felixstowe will mean many more containers will need to be transported inland. SPS is campaigning to take far more of them off the roads.
Mass building; quantity and quality
SPS strives to provide the highest quality of design for all new homes in the county. The Suffolk Structure Plan for 1996-2016 proposes 53,000 new homes for Suffolk, swallowing just over 5000 acres (2000 football pitches) of countryside.
More jobs: more workplaces
The Cannon Avent factory near Long Melford - workplace for over 700 people - won the SPS 2001 design award. This annual award aims to foster quality designs, which must be innovative and fitting within the Suffolk context.
Energy
Demand for energy is growing and so energy conservation, like wind turbines, are important. Wind turbines are non polluting but careful siting is essential to reduce visual intrusion into the landscape.
New ways of dealing with waste.
Landfill sites continue to be extended so recycling schemes are an important part of the effort to reduce this trend.
Pollution
Pollution in many forms is increasing, for example light. A 30% increase in light pollution has been recorded in Suffolk in the past decade.
Changing farming methods
Providing good quality food and beautiful environment, rich with wildlife and biodiversity is the challenge.
Increased travel
A second runway at Stansted would bring pressure on housing, roads, schools, hospitals and a growing problem of aircraft noise
Major Planning Applications
Snoasis
A recent proposal submitted to Mid-Suffolk District Council is for Snoasis, a large tourist and recreational development with associated residential accommodation. The ski slope would top 100 metres. The impact of the proposal will be considered by the Society in a few month's time, in particular the impact of large volumes of additional traffic on the A14, and the environmental impact. The Society would like to hear from its members and local Pariah Councils with their views on the major proposal.
The home for our director and staff is Little Hall, a historic 14th century building near the Guildhall in the main square of Lavenham. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays. To join the Suffolk Preservation Society or to make a donation, look at "support us" or "donation". For further information contact us at: Little Hall, Market Place, Lavenham, Suffolk CO10 9QZ maps to help you find us
The Campaign to Protect Rural England exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country.
Photographs by members of SPS and by: Geoffrey Rivett ARPS. This site is under continual development and the content has not necessarily been approved by the Trustees of the Society.
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PS is not responsible for the content, services or reliability of links to external websites.