Policy Update

The Horkesley Park Application documents are extensive and have been the subject of a substantial consultation programme which has amassed a very large response.  A Co-ordinating Report, produced by Edward Gittins & Associates (Horkesley Park’s Planning Consultant) in March 2011, click here to download, brings together and clarifies the main planning issues, takes account of the Representations submitted, and contains a balanced assessment of the Scheme in relation to planning policy and public and professional opinion.

The Horkesley Park scheme has been subjected to rigorous testing in terms of its environmental impacts, its sustainability, and compatibility with Planning policy. The findings show a wide range of potential benefits with no significant adverse effects, and support the following main conclusions:

• Horkesley Park accords with Government policy operating at national, regional and local levels in relation to supporting and promoting the rural economy, especially tourism, the development of appropriate rural employment as a sustainable alternative to that in urban centres, whilst continuing to afford protection of the countryside.

• After Horkesley Park has opened to the general public, there will be a wide range of potential benefits for the local economy. In addition to the creation of jobs during the pre-operational phase, Horkesley Park will be an important source of ongoing rural employment, creating an estimated 200 full time equivalent jobs comprising 155 on the site and an additional 45 elsewhere in the Essex and Suffolk sub-region. The proposal will also result in an increase in overnight stays and increased spending in the local area and an important new support for existing and new businesses.           

• Horkesley Park will comprise a major sustainable tourist attraction and unique destination visitor centre. It will provide high quality educational, cultural, recreational and informal countryside leisure facilities to meet the needs of the region’s rapidly expanding population and the development of sustainable tourism as an important generator of employment and wealth.

• The built area and associated planting infrastructure will be integrated into the landscape without material harm to the Dedham Vale AONB. Within the extensive Country Park, the mosaic of existing and new woodland, tree and hedge planting and parkland pastures and heritage farming areas will be in keeping with the landscape character of the site and wider area and benefit from a long term management programme based on conservation principles. The intention is to protect, conserve and enhance the landscape, with the aims and values of the AONB integral to the Horkesley Park ethos thus making a positive contribution to the Dedham Vale AONB landscape.                       

• The implementation of the scheme will be achieved without material harm to the area’s nature conservation resources whilst biodiversity enhancement, habitat creation and conservation work.