Unacceptable Negative Impact on Heritage Assets


Letheringham has a rich history, dating back to pre-1066, as recorded in the Domesday Book.  It is recognised as a village, however, in the latest iteration of the Local Plan, Letheringham is categorised as countryside within the settlement hierarchy.  It is comprised of 1,144 acres of land, with approximately 35 houses and 25 businesses.  It forms part of the River Deben Valley, and is home to a number of historically significant buildings and structures, and a historic Deer Park.  A few examples:

Letheringham Priory Church of Saint Mary: A Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I listed building (part of an Augustinian Priory).

Letheringham Lodge: A Grade II* listed hunting lodge built in 1472, designed by Sir John Wingfield in the Dutch architectural style. The moat listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.   Attracting visitors from far and wide into our communities.

Letheringham Watermill: A Grade II listed watermill (complete with working water wheel), recorded in the Domesday Book and rebuilt in the 17th century, currently providing national award winning tourist accommodation.  Attracting vast numbers (relatively) of holidaymakers year after year after year into our communities.

April Cottage: A rare grade II, 13th/14th-century, timber-framed house of national significance.

Letheringham Hall (Old Hall): A mid-16th century, Grade II listed Manor House, with an ancient moat, designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Boughbreak, Mole End and Pike Cottage: listed Grade II cottages thought to be the original Letheringham Alms House.

The proposed solar farm is set to significantly alter the landscape and surrounding environment, threatening the integrity of Letheringham’s historically important landscape and buildings (note: archaeological concerns and finds has yet to be mentioned).  We believe Letheringham’s “….heritage assets and the contribution they make to their environment….” [NPPF, 205] are deeply significant.  The development of the solar farm would deprive the historic assets of their context, which defines their existence, and would contravene the importance of their listed status.