Babergh planners will decide on controversial plans by the Marquis at Layham for large scale new facilities at the countryside pub, restaurant and hotel.

An application was made last year for the erection of extensions to provide additional facilities including reception, banquet hall, wellness centre and additional bedrooms, along with a change of use of agricultural land to create new car parking and formal gardens, including the removal of the existing over spill car parking and associated landscaping works.

Planning officers at the council have recommended the plans, along with listed building consent, are approved despite widespread objections, although a long list of conditions have been included in the recommendation.

Owners of the Grade II listed Marquis of Cornwallis point out the growth is needed in the Hadleigh area and the proposed extension would provide a further 20 full-time jobs and 20 part-time jobs, bringing the total number of staff to 55 full-time and 45 part-time positions and would be a significant increase in the number of jobs on offer in a rural area.

More than 80 objections from different households have been received by Babergh council, with another 55 public comments in favour of the plans.

Objectors argued the new look Marquis would be:

• Wrong location for the venue
• Air pollution from extra traffic
• Disproportionate urbanisation
• Design of the extensions is unattractive
• Extra traffic would be dangerous to horse riders
• Does not suit the character of the village
• Odour from kitchen
• Parking is elevated and would be visible across the valley
• The scale of build is overbearing
• Light pollution from the car park and terrace would be harmful to the landscape an ecology
• Noise pollution would be detrimental to neighbours from music and people using the outdoor

space

• Sewage and waste systems will not be able to cope with the development
• More traffic on country roads
• Drainage and possible pollution of the River Brett
• Landscape impact
• Impact on the Listed Building
• Concerns that the business would not be viable and what future the building would have
• Too many weddings in the area, another one is not needed
• The development is outside of the built-up area boundary of the village
• Impact on ecology
• Highway safety from extra traffic
• Letters of support have come from great distance
• Not in-keeping with the character of the area
• Increased crime and anti-social behaviour
• Loss of farmland
• Is there space for delivery vehicles to be able to turn on site
• Extra pressure on Benton Street in Hadleigh from traffic movements

Meanwhile, supporters said:

• Substantial investment has been given to the transformation of the public by the owners
• Will provide much needed employment to the area
• Guests of the hotel will spend money in the local area
• Plans are well thought out and sympathetic to the environment and are of a high standard
• The development will support local businesses and tourism
• There is a need for another wedding venue in the area
• Wellness centre would be good for visitors and local residents

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• Will make the village more desirable
• One of the best dining experiences and settings in the area
• Great example of a local businessman putting something back into the community
• Providing support of food parcels for local people during Lockdown
• Premises stood empty and the building fell into disrepair before being purchased by the current

owner

• Aspirations to be one of the top destination venues in Suffolk should be applauded
• 'Staycations' being more likely in the current climate
• Will benefit Hadleigh as a "Destination"
• It is crucial as a society that we support and encourage independent business owners

Layham Parish Council has spoken out against the application, although accepted many of its original objections have been dealt with. It is still concerned that the proposed development, despite being classified as an extension, is 1.5 times larger than the existing site.

Parish councillors are also concerned the proposed development is not appropriate to the village location, noise, the landscaping maintenance, speeding, parking and lighting.

In a statement to Babergh, the parish council said: "Layham Parish Council therefore continues to object to the planning application, on the basis that the adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits."

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings have also spoken out against the development, mainly due to its size.

Babergh's Heritage team has been largely supportive although has asked for conditions and said: 'The large formal garden is not unsuited to a wedding venue of the style shown here and, subject to conditions concerning the materials to be used in its construction, it will be acceptable.

"There is however a concern that a very unsightly substation is now proposed to be located against the roadside. This is not appropriate. It will distract from the landscape, and in views as one approaches from the south. In turn this will harm the setting and therefore the significance of the Marquis."

Meanwhile, Babergh leader John Ward, who is also the ward member for Brett Vale, has maintained a neutral stance on the applications.

Concerns regarding others and voles being disrupted at the nearby River Brett were dismissed by experts and approval of the application would secure protection and enhancement of biodiversity by conditions as required by the Babergh's ecologist.

Babergh's planning meeting on Wednesday at 09.30, April 7, will be live streamed on Babergh's YouTube channel here...