New A140 Ipswich Road, Brome, near Diss, service station given first green light despite flooding and water supply concerns

A new village service station has been given the first green light despite concerns over flooding and water supply.

On Wednesday, members of Mid Suffolk’s planning committee discussed plans for a new service station adjacent to the A140 Ipswich Road, in Brome, near Diss.

The outline application was submitted by R H Developments and also included a roadside restaurant with a drive-through, 24 business starter units, a lorry parking facility and rest area, and an electric charging facility.

Plans were initially discussed in November 2022 but were deferred until more information was made available about flooding, the environment, noise, and location.

Despite some changes being made, which included moving the lorry park further away from the nearest homes, the plans were once again deferred in August to allow for a site visit.

Some of the issues raised when the proposals were first discussed, however, were still raised earlier this week, particularly when it came to flooding and water supply.

Ward member, Cllr Tim Weller said although he was supportive of the application in principle, he said his ’emphatic objections’ came in light of the potential flooding impacts of the application which could have ‘destructive’ impacts on nearby farmers and residents.

He added: “While this application appears to the officer to be compliant, we should all be very clear that complaint does not equal fit for purpose and approval will likely result in further flooding.

“If this outline application progresses, further increased flooding is inevitable.”

Cllr Weller also pointed out Essex and Suffolk Water stated it would not provide water for any non-domestic use due to a lack of water in the area.

The water authority’s representation read: “We are unable to agree to any new mains water connections where the water will be used for a non-domestic purpose.

“It is not clear from the application whether there will be a need for an increase in water use for non-domestic purposes over any existing level of their mains water supply allowance.”

Cllr Weller added it would only be possible for water to be used for domestic if the station, restaurant, and starter units had no tap.

When debating, councillors were somewhat split, however.

Cllr Nicholas Hardingham said he didn’t think the representations of the parish council and some of the residents ‘should be taken too strongly’ since the application related to a small site which would not discharge any more water than current levels.

Cllr James Patchett said: “To me, if it looks like a truck wash and it smells like a truck wash guess what, it’s a truck wash.”

In the end, councillors still agreed to authorise outline permission with six votes for and two against, meaning the applicant will now need to come back with a reserved matters application nailing down the details, at which point the issue of water supply is due to resurface.

Included with the approval were several conditions which will require the applicant to monitor water quality and drainage to address potential harm.