Our lives are ruined by our neighbour’s ‘MEGA SHED’ – it blocks the sun & makes us feel like we’re in a prison camp
VILLAGERS say their lives have been ruined by a “gigantic mega shed” warehouse that blocks the sun and makes them feel like they’re in a prison camp.
The structure is being built at Equation Properties’ Orwell Logistics Park, and at 482ft wide and 984ft long is the size of six full-size football pitches.
East Suffolk Council approved final plans in 2021 despite protests by locals who argue it is “fundamentally wrong”.
Adrian Day, 66, told the BBC: “It’s a gigantic mega-shed and, essentially, it is the wrong development, in the wrong location, and that was clear to anyone with common sense.”
He said he believes local planning committees just give locals the “illusion that their opinion counts”.
The warehouse – opposite the A14 – includes 424 car parking spaces and 120 lorry bays – and sits around 130ft from the back gardens of those in Felixstowe Road, Ipswich.
It has been painted a brutal battleship-grey, meaning it doesn’t blend in at all with its surroundings.
The structure will be one of three warehouses at the site once completed.
“We used to have views behind us of trees and fields, but now every time you look out the windows of your house, it looks like a stormy day – it’s horrible,” said Alan Thomas, 61.
“And we barely get any sun, but nothing we have ever said to the council has been taken note of. It’s completely ridiculous and absolutely crazy.”
He said he has applied for an extension to his home and been rejected by the council multiple times.
The original plans, which included a fourth warehouse, were approved in 2018 despite 29 letters of objection, including from Foxhall Parish Council.
An online brochure for the development says tenants will have 24/7 access, with neighbours worried there’ll be lights and noise all through the day and night.
While the warehouse was being built, local residents couldn’t open their windows due to the amount of dust.
One person claimed the vibrations caused by the work killed the bees in his hives.
And sounds from the nearby train line are said to reverberate off the warehouse.
Referring to the lack of graduated colour scheme, neighbour Dave Ward, 72, said it looks like a “thunderstorm” and homeowners can “never see a sunset anymore”.
Sheila Snell, 69, said she’s “shed quite a few tears” over the ordeal and described seeing the warehouse beyond her garden is “like being in a prison camp”.
Amy Richardson, a partner in the planning law team at Ashtons Legal, said the council does appear to have considered the impact on residents but decided it wouldn’t cause sufficient harm.
She added the only possible form of redress could be a “token gesture” of compensation, but an ombudsman would need to lobby on locals’ behalf.
She also does not believe the development will have a long-term effect on house prices in the area.
East Suffolk Council told The Sun: “The development at Orwell Logistics Park was consented under an outline planning application, which established the principle of development with warehouses and the acceptable proximity and scale of these buildings.
“The planning application was recommended for approval by the Head of Planning based upon detailed officer assessment, and this was endorsed by members of the planning committee.
“All properties affected by development are considered equally and impartially across the whole district and are professionally assessed by officers and impartially considered by members.
“Members of the planning committee, many of whom have strong local knowledge, visited the site and neighbouring properties on two occasions, considered the representations received and heard directly from neighbours in the planning committee meetings.
“The planning decision was made in accordance with the development plan and planning legislation.
“The impact of any development on private property values is not a material planning consideration which affects decision making.
“Anyone with an objection to a planning application has the right to submit their concerns as part of the planning process, within the application period.
“If it was felt that there had been procedural errors in this planning decision, there was an option to request a judicial review within six weeks of the decision date. No judicial review was requested.
“All complainants have been provided with information summarising the decision-making process and the considerations applied.
“This application was fully and properly assessed in its impact on neighbours, and we do not believe there was any fault in the decision-making process.”
The Sun has contacted Equation Properties for comment.