Many villagers will know that the Gardemau Church Charity (GCC) has applied for Outline Planning Permission (OPP) for its plot of land behind the old Lock Up at the junction of School Rd and Blacksmith’s Lane.

The land had previously been rented to the owners of adjacent properties for parking, but this arrangement had lapsed in recent years, making the property a liability to the charity, rather than an asset.

The Gardemau trustees have an obligation to maximise the assets of the charity for use to help those in need. Accordingly, after taking professional advice, the charity decided to seek OPP for a small 2 or 3 bedroom detached house with garden and off-road parking, and place the land on the market.

The 2022 Parish Survey identified the lack of smaller houses suitable for couples or young families in Coddenham as a major concern. The property is intended to help improve this situation, and is designed to resemble, on a smaller scale, ‘West View’, next-door-but-one in School Rd, given PP by Mid Suffolk District Council only 5 or 6 years ago. If practicable, the charity would like to make the property available preferentially to those with a Coddenham connection.

Unfortunately, although none of the site’s neighbours objected, the initial application was refused by MSDC. Their response contained a number of factual inaccuracies, however, and an amended application was therefore resubmitted, supported by the Parish Council. MSDC Planning have now accepted the principle of development on the plot and offered to advise on the best way to achieve a suitable property. To avoid being constrained by the planning timetable, the trustees have thus temporarily withdrawn the application, pending discussions with Senior Planning Officers and consideration of the best way to achieve the optimum outcome for the charity and the people of Coddenham.