Councillors say it's time for Haverhill to expand - literally
Wednesday, 24th September 2014.
Haverhill Town Council is to ask for a review of the parish boundaries in the light of the current and prospective growth of the town.
At present Haverhill Research Park and the associated new housing falls in the parish of Withersfield, the proposed North-West and north-East Haverhill developments would be in Little Wratting and Kedington, and the area around the Days Inn Hotel is in Essex.
Town councillors meeting last night decided to ask St Edmundsbury Borough Council to review these boundaries.
It is not just a matter of the confusion which can arise. The town's precept - the amount it raises through council tax - could be considerably increased.
At present, new housing in these areas would only pay their respective parish precepts, which are smaller, and contribute nothing towards Haverhill.
The parishes would be expected to object to any review, because they would lose some income as a result, but members were told of examples in Newmarket and Stowmarket where the same issue has arisen and the objections of neighbouring village parishes have been over-ruled.
Cllr Pat Hanlon said some 2,000 new homes likely to be built over the next 20 years would be outside the current Haverhill boundaries.
Cllr Ernie Goody said the exercise needed to be done properly as 'we're likel;y to only get one bite of the cherry'.
Cllr David Roach said the neighbouring parishes should be consulted. He said St Edmundsbury's review would not be able to deal with the issue around Days Inn, because it was a different county and would have to be considered by the Boundary Commission.
At present Haverhill Research Park and the associated new housing falls in the parish of Withersfield, the proposed North-West and north-East Haverhill developments would be in Little Wratting and Kedington, and the area around the Days Inn Hotel is in Essex.
Town councillors meeting last night decided to ask St Edmundsbury Borough Council to review these boundaries.
It is not just a matter of the confusion which can arise. The town's precept - the amount it raises through council tax - could be considerably increased.
At present, new housing in these areas would only pay their respective parish precepts, which are smaller, and contribute nothing towards Haverhill.
The parishes would be expected to object to any review, because they would lose some income as a result, but members were told of examples in Newmarket and Stowmarket where the same issue has arisen and the objections of neighbouring village parishes have been over-ruled.
Cllr Pat Hanlon said some 2,000 new homes likely to be built over the next 20 years would be outside the current Haverhill boundaries.
Cllr Ernie Goody said the exercise needed to be done properly as 'we're likel;y to only get one bite of the cherry'.
Cllr David Roach said the neighbouring parishes should be consulted. He said St Edmundsbury's review would not be able to deal with the issue around Days Inn, because it was a different county and would have to be considered by the Boundary Commission.
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