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Whisstocks Project

4 May 2012

A First for the Whisstocks Project

Because supporters have gathered already 2,000 signatures on their petition, the full Suffolk Coastal District Council is to hold its first ever debate in direct response to public demand.  Over 1250 local people have signed up to petition Suffolk Coastal, and this means that the full council must debate the request to facilitate community acquisition. 

The petition has also been signed by over 550 people from outside the Suffolk Coastal area, including overseas visitors - confirming the attraction and importance of Woodbridge riverfront.

The debate will be held on 24 May at a meeting of the hull Council in the Council Chamber at the SCDC offices Melton Hill Melton, IP12 1AU.

John Perry will be making the case for the Project in a 5-minute address and Malcolm Hood will be supporting him.  They would like to pack the public gallery to emphasise public concern.  If you would like to attend you will need to be there in time for the start of the meeting at 7pm.  The debate will follow Council business.

Email info@whisstocksproject.co.uk if you plan to listen to the debate from the public gallery. 

You can still sign the petition page on the Whisstocks Project website, please see links on news item below.

^{This item was posted 4 May 2012.}

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Further to our October 2011 news item below, we can let you know that the Whisstocks Project (Saving the Woodbridge waterfront) have launched a new website: www.whisstocksproject.co.uk.

For the past 16 years the Whisstocks boatyard site on the River Deben in Woodbridge has been derelict.  The Whisstocks Project is a community bid to revitalise the riverfront area, a potential gem for the town, with a mix of marine and public uses.   At last, in 2012, it looks as if it may soon prove possible for the community to purchase the whole site.

People in the local community have been asked how they would like the site to be used.  The response was: some public access, a return to some boatbuilding and marine trade if possible, educational facilities and  tourist amenities.  This is what the Whisstocks Project aims to deliver.

Buying and transforming the site will require a huge fundraising effort - this can't be achieved by volunteer effort alone. We will need to pay for publicity, professional support and other expenses.

What has happened so far

Click on About the Whisstocks Project  to delve into the history of the site, and the ongoing campaign to rescue it from inappropriate development and dereliction.

How you can help

Everyone working on the Project is a volunteer, you can help by:

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The Whisstocks Project took an important step towards local community ownership of the Whisstocks former boatyard at a meeting in Woodbridge on 3 October 2011.  With refreshments provided by the newly refurbished Crown Hotel, a dozen people spent the afternoon thraising out a plan of action.

The site, which lies on the river between the scenic attractions of the historic Tide Mill and the attractive waterfront moorings outside Woodbridge railway station, has become the focus of growing local frustration and anger over the past 20 years of neglect.  There is a determination to build public support to change this state of affairs.

Formerly an active and important yacht-building yard, Whisstocks used to be a hub for maritime activity on the waterfront.  But in recent times the buildings have become increasingly derelict, as developers have pursued unrealistic expectations of profit from the site.

Suffolk Coastal District Council has always been clear that Whisstocks should be developed in a way that benefited public interest and supported local community trade.  Now The Woodbridge Riverside Trust with active support from the Woodbridge and Melton Riverside Action Group, the River Deben Association and many other local organisations - united under the banner of The Whisstocks Project - has met with national network organisations responsible for successful community enterprises across the country, to plan the way ahead.

The initial goals were agreed:

- to find ways to improve public access to parts of the site to improve views of the waterfront

- to enhance the appearance of the site for visitors to the area

- to engage with local marine industry interests to bring the slipway back into use.

Whisstocks Project leader John Gibbins said: "We are actively talking to both SCDC and site owners to bring forward a commitment to public ownership.  We are developing meaningful plans to enhance and develop the site for the benefit of everyone in Woodbridge, and the growing number of visitors to our town."

The Whisstocks Project team is now visiting other succesful community projects across the country where local people have come together with local and national government support to fund similar initiatives.

A strategic plan for the site will be developed first for the purchase of the site under community ownership, and for its development as a self-funding community project.  The support of the community is vital to ensure success.  

Please contact The Whisstocks Project at enquiries@whisstockproject.org to show your support.

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