8/12/2008 Ipswich Borough Council PRESS RELEASE: KILN MEADOW LAND SALE UPDATE
Over the past few months, Ipswich Borough Council has been considering whether to sell its land at Kiln Meadow at Thorington Park. This Borough-owned land was granted planning permission for housing development by Babergh District Council in late 2007.
It has been decided not to sell the site at this time and the action to be taken will be reviewed next summer.
The Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Property portfolio-holder, Councillor John Carnall, said: "We have a duty to maximise the value of any asset for the council tax-payer but, having discussed this with officers, we have concluded that, given the present economic climate, now is not the right time to sell this site. I am also aware this will also allow for time to investigate the ecological issues associated with the site."
These ecological issues largely focus on Kiln Meadow's hydrological value and its use, in part, for an annual migration of common brown toads. The Council will undertake further investigations in these areas, which will include monitoring the next toad migration which should be taking place in February and March 2009. This should then enable the Council to determine whether a part of the site should be retained as a wildlife sanctuary.
Councillor Carnall added: "I anticipate the Council's Executive Committee will consider a report next summer on this subject and will then determine whether to sell the land and, if so, a programme for the disposal of all or part of the site. In reaching its decision, I would anticipate that the Committee will wish to consider the value of the land - and its potential importance to the Council's budget and council tax levels - together with the ecological value of part of the site and the importance of delivering additional housing in the Ipswich area to meet the high targets that are being set for us and neighbouring councils by the Government."