The Babergh Planning Committee met to discuss planning application DC/25/00608 for the construction of two warehouse units on land north and east of Bobbits Lane, Wherstead, and ultimately voted to approve the application, subject to conditions. The committee also confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 20 August 2025.

DC/25/00608 Land to the North and East of Bobbits Lane, Wherstead, Suffolk

Planning permission was granted for the construction of two warehouse units (B8 storage¹), a new internal access road, associated parking, boundary landscaping, and a sustainable urban drainage scheme² on land to the north and east of Bobbits Lane, Wherstead, Suffolk. The applicant for the development is J56 Limited.

The Case Officer, Jasmine Whyard, introduced the application, outlining the proposal, site constraints, planning history, proposed site plan, unit sizes, parking and travel plans, elevations, landscaping, and the recommendation for approval.

Rachel Dickson, Agent, spoke in representation of the application.

The committee debated the application, discussing the solar panel provision, employment opportunities, proposed lighting conditions, cycle access and storage plans, and the travel plan. Councillor Peter K Beer proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the Officer recommendation. Councillor John Whyman seconded the proposal, subject to an additional condition regarding the provision of e-bike charging points, which Councillor Peter K Beer accepted.

The approval is subject to a number of obligations and conditions, including:

• A travel plan monitoring fee
• Time limit for commencement
• Compliance with approved plans
• Very good BREEAM³ certification
• Measures to maximise PV⁴ provision
• Water efficiency details
• Detailed energy strategy
• No cooling to warehouse
• Surface water drainage strategy
• Construction surface water management plan
• Surface water drainage verification report
• Security measures
• Access to be provided
• Surface water discharge details for highway
• Parking provision
• Cycle parking provision including e-bike charging
• Internal footway/cycleway
• Travel plan
• Construction management plan
• Fire hydrants
• Construction hours
• No burning
• Compliance with noise impact assessment
• Construction of earth bund
• No external plant with noise assessment
• External lighting scheme
• Evidence of construction contractor signing up to considerate contractors scheme
• Employment and training skills plan
• Ecological appraisal recommendations
• Construction environmental management plan
• Biodiversity enhancement strategy
• Advanced planting
• Details of materials
• Hard and soft landscaping scheme including tree planting, rest/seating areas, bund levels and fencing
• Landscape management plan
• Arboricultural report recommendations

The committee report noted that one neutral comment had been received from the public, which raised concerns about the height of lighting, the BREEAM rating, the lack of detail about PV panels, the number of HGVs, the diminished biodiversity value, and the lack of mention of previous security measures.

The committee report also noted that Wherstead Parish Council had raised no objection, but would like the following points addressed: 1) screening along southern approach from A137, 2) fencing of SUDS field and 3) adequacy of car parking. Pinewood Parish Council supported the concerns of Wherstead Parish Council, as well as ongoing issues with motorbikes along Bobbits Lane.

The committee report concluded that:

The proposal builds upon an extant permission but delivers non-speculative commercial development with end occupiers in mind. The development will support two existing businesses and deliver 120 jobs on site. There are no consultee or officer concerns, with any outstanding matters of concern being appropriately dealt with via condition.

Confirmation of Minutes

Councillor John Whyman proposed that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 August 2025 be confirmed and signed as a true record. Councillor Adrian Osborne seconded the proposal, and it was passed by a unanimous vote.