Representation by Aldeburgh Golf Club (Aldeburgh Golf Club)
- Date submitted
- 17 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The club operates on both sides of the A1094 in a very special maritime heathland landscape and has a major commitment to conservation and the environment. In addition to being a fine golf course that hosts national and international events for England Golf and The R&A, the club won the national Environmental Golf Course of the Year Award in 2019 With a practice ground and a 9 holes River Course on one side of the A1094 and the clubhouse and an 18 holes Championship Course on the other side of the A1094 (Saxmundham Road) and with the Leiston Road running alongside our northern boundary, we are particularly concerned about the proposed vehicle movement running into and out of Aldeburgh on the Leiston and Saxmundham Roads. There is in particular a significant safety risk of the development using the Saxmundham Road (A1094) as members and visitors cross the Saxmundham Road on foot constantly through the day to gain access to and from the 9 holes River Course - many of those golfers are young children and elderly people as the 9 holes course suits them better and, unless the developers were required to provide an underpass, there is a significant risk that increased traffic (including heavy lorries) will lead to serious accidents for pedestrians In addition, as a business operating exclusively on the edge of Aldeburgh, the likely decline in visitors to the area would have a serious economic impact on the club and will threaten both the membership and visitor income required to maintain the club and its courses We have several more general concerns that will be shared with other interested parties - Threat to wildlife and the important Sandlings Heath - Severing the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB causing problems to migrating species and severing the wildlife corridor ? - Destruction of ancient woodland ? Local road network unsuitable for the high traffic levels and more HGVs ? Light pollution. Suffolk’s famous dark skies lost ? Noise pollution. Suffolk’s famous peace and tranquillity lost ? Air pollution from traffic and trenches dug through Suffolk’s light sandy soil which blows/runs away, causing visibility hazard and health issues - Increased traffic on roads, a danger to cyclists and residents - Impact on tourism. DMO report says traffic congestion and related issues would deter tourists from coming to the area ? - Impact on businesses. Loss of trade, visitor income, jobs leading to social and economic decline David Wybar