Do you own Land in the Babergh or Mid Suffolk regions? Would you like to see if that Land has Development potential? If you have answered yes, then good news, YourLandAgency (a specialist Land Consultancy company) can help you achieve this.
Currently, Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils are currently inviting Land site submissions as part of their ‘Call For Sites’ process. Here, Landowners can submit their sites to be put forward for Residential land use and ultimately, consideration for future development. This process is known as the Call For Sites process.
Further Guidance for Landowners
Owners should note, this process will not in itself determine whether a site should be allocated for development. All sites will need further assessment and the overall ratings process, and strategy for the Local Plan will be informed by several evidence-based procedures and various consultations. The submission of a site through the Call For Sites process does not immediately achieve approved planning status, but it begins the process, and indication of future likelihood of planning approval. Finally, all completed submissions must be by Friday 2nd February 2024, and as such time is very much of the essence!
How YourLandAgency can help Landowners
Currently, YourLandAgency are assisting Landowners looking to submit their sites as part of the Call For Sites, both in Babergh and Mid Suffolk, and in Colchester. The Call For Sites process seldom presents itself, and as such a thorough initial land assessment and subsequent detailed application is the best way of achieving a favourable rating of your site. YourLandAgency can undertake a free of charge, desktop-based assessment of your land in the first instance. Herein, we shall look at various planning policy aspects, such as land designation, checking adopted settlement boundary, local amenity, flood risk, special protection areas, public footpath, highways issues, to name but a few. We can then get a feel for the likelihood of future planning approval and advise if a submission through the Call For Sites is suitable.
YourLandAgency have been offering advisory services to its clients for well over a decade and bring a wealth of knowledge in terms of planning policy, planning applications, an understanding of buying and selling land, property development and many other associated matters. We have experience in consultations with Parish Councils, an in-house Architect, specialised consultants to assist with problematic and challenging land sites and an excellent firm of Auctioneers for future sales.
What if my site is not suitable for conventional Residential Development?
Not all landowners will have sites which Babergh and Mid Suffolk council will deem suitable for future residential development, as part of the Call For Sites process. However, with the benefit of your free site assessment, YourLandAgency might be able to unlock alternative development options. This might include the conversion of Agricultural outbuildings to residential property, industrial possibilities, tourism potential sites and rural exception policy sites (where Affordable Housing provision might be possible). With the correct policy knowledge and creative mindset, there are always different avenues which can be explored.
I’m concerned about future costs to obtain Planning Approval
Amid a cost-of-living crisis, where budgets are being stretched, many Landowners will be concerned about the potential costs of Planning. YourLandAgency can offer a variety of options to alleviate this and have a range of products and deal structures. These include Joint Venture agreements, Land Options, Promotional Agreements, and various Finance options. These can be discussed in detail with all prospective clients.
Further information and Contact details
For Landowners wishing to read guidance notes from Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils, please click this link for further details: https://www.babergh.gov.uk/w/call-for-sites.
Should further advice or guidance be required, please contact Darren Milne at YourLandAgency.
2024 is set to become a promising year for the world of sports. Numerous tournaments and marathons will take place across the country, drawing hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of spectators. From the London Marathon to the Premier League Finals and Wimbleton, these sporting events are not to be missed.
The London Marathon
Ever since its introduction in 1981, the London Marathon has become one of the most emblematic sporting events in the UK. In over four decades, more than a million people have completed the course and over a billion pounds have been raised for charitable causes. It is an event with several components, including races for professional long-distance and under-17 athletes as well as elite-level wheelchair runners and the general public.
The marathon’s 2024 edition will take place on April 21st. Spectators are welcome to watch from almost any point along the race’s 26.2-mile stretch, which covers several of the capital’s landmarks. Those unable to join in person can follow the event’s broadcast by BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC Online and iPlayer.
FA Cup Finals
Summer will be a busy season for Wembley Stadium. Not only will the historic venue host the Champions League final, but it will also host two other high-profile football matches: the Adobe Women’s FA and the men’s Emirates FA Cup finals.
The women’s match will kick off on Sunday, May 12th, and will be broadcast by the BBC across BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Sport. The 2023 edition of the tournament saw Chelsea F.C. defeat Manchester United 1 to 0 in front of a record-setting crowd of 77,390 spectators (the biggest audience for a domestic women’s match). 2024 will be even more competitive, as the FA has doubled the winners’ prize pot to £430,000.
The men’s Emirates FA Cup finals, on the other hand, will take place on May 25. Also known simply as the FA Cup, the knockout competition is the oldest football competition in the history of the world. Manchester City are the deafening champions, having defeated rivals Manchester United 2 to 1 at Wembley.
The Champions League Final
The very best of European football will be crowned at London’s Wembley Stadium on the first of June as the 2023/23 UEFA Champions League season comes to an end. The match will kick off at 8 PM at the historic venue, which has hosted the event eight times prior. The 69th edition of the tournament will see Manchester City defend their title. While they are positioned as the favourites to win, there is still a long road ahead, and prolific teams such as Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain have high odds of lifting the 7.5-kilogram trophy. The winners will also earn the right to play against the winners of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League and will automatically qualify for the 2025 expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final
The last match of the maximum competition of English rugby returns on June 8. The 2023/24 final will be hosted at Twickenham Stadium, known as the “home of England Rugby”. Ten teams started the season in October 2023, including title defenders North London’s Saracens who defeated Sale Sharks last May. This year, however, the Northampton Saints have positioned themselves on top of the Premiership table, closely followed by Exeter, Sale Sharks, and Bath. The competition will be broadcast by TNT Sports and ITV.
Wimbleton
This year, Wimbledon will last two weeks, starting on the first of July. In 1870, with just 22 men, the inaugural Championships took place at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, where Spencer Gore became the first Champion watched by 200 people. Today, Wimbledon is the most prestigious tennis competition, drawing in royalty, celebrities, and the wider public.
It includes five main events, four junior events, and seven invitation events. In 2023, Marketa Vondrousova claimed her first Slam title, while Carlos Alcaraz defeated legend Novak Djokovic in the men’s final at Wimbledon. Due to the high demand, tennis enthusiasts can only get tickets by participating in the public ballot, which has already closed. Alternatively, it is possible to catch the action on BBC One, BBC Two, or BBC iPlayer.
International Cricket matches
Brits have been playing cricket, the “gentleman’s sport”, as early as the 16th century. Throughout the years, the sport has garnered global attention, amassing a fanbase that rivals that of football. There will be numerous domestic and international matches in 2024, including England vs the West Indies (1st Test) from 10 to 14 of July at Lord’s, England vs Sri Lanka (2nd Test) from August 29 to September 2nd, and England vs Australia (2nd ODI) on September 27 at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Meanwhile, the women’s team will take on New Zealand’s T20 side at the Oval and Lord’s in May.
SUFFOLK, UK – In its slavish pursuit of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Suffolk Council has unveiled its solution to accommodate conjoined twins in public facilities—the introduction of “Siamese toilets.”
By Ian Bred, Norfolk Correspondent
The lavatories boast two connected toilet bowls, specially designed to facilitate the unique needs of Siamese twins who wish to answer nature’s call in tandem.
In a commendable effort to uphold inclusivity for all Suffolk residents, the Siamese toilets are open to universal use, allowing all members of the public to experience the peculiar convenience of paired potties. However, early assessments suggest that, aside from Siamese twins, the primary patrons are likely to be ‘trans women,’ who have displayed a certain fascination with restrooms designed for other segments of society.
Pass the bog roll
The term ‘Siamese twins’ comes from the twin conjoined brothers Chang and Eng Bunker who were born in Siam, now Thailand. When, in the 19th Century, they first arrived in England to become circus exhibits, they were called “The Siamese Twins.”
As the Siamese toilet initiative takes its place in the annals of progressive public planning, it remains to be seen whether these dual thrones will be embraced, or shunned, by the wider community.
Siamese toilets and criticism
Some critics argue that the move, while well-intentioned, may be more symbolic than practical, considering the limited number of Siamese twins and the broader public’s traditional preference for the privacy of a solitary bathroom experience.
If you can’t beat ‘em … conjoin ‘em!
Nonetheless, Suffolk Council stands firm in its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, and the Siamese toilets are poised to become an unexpected symbol of the county’s dedication to accommodating diverse needs.
As the flush of progress continues, one can’t help but wonder what other novel solutions the ever-evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will bring to public services.
WEST BERGHOLT, SUFFOLK – A jubilant family said they received a “Christmas miracle” when their cat, ‘Westlife’, returned home after being missing for SIX years.
Westlife, who disappeared in 2018, thrilled his owners when he turned up on Christmas morning, albeit with one leg missing.
Old food bowl
Owner Nelly Piston, of West Bergholt, Suffolk told the SUFFOLK GAZETTE that just after the family had swapped gifts from under the tree. They heard a scratching sound at their back door.
Christmas miracle
When youngest daughter Fiona (3) opened the door, the missing moggie tipped forward and fell face-first into its old food bowl which had remained untouched since its disappearance six years earlier. “My daughter just screamed as she had never seen a cat before, let alone one with three legs – a triped – and let alone one that used to be part of our family, long before she was born.” Said Piston, holding back tears of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.
We wanted to know more, so we contacted veteran Welsh television presenter, Johnny Morris
OBE, who was best known for talking to animals on his hit 1970s BBC zoological kids’ show, Animal Magic. Unfortunately, Morris died in 1999 but he nonetheless agreed to translate cat into English for us for the purposes of this story.
SG: Why did you disappear and and where have you been?
WL: Miaw, miaw, Queen miaw miaw beatings miaw.
JM: I’ve been to London to look at the Queen. I left because the Piston family used to beat me.
SG: Why didn’t you contact the RSPCA?
WL: Miaw, miaw, miaw miaw miaw, miaw phone number miaw.
BLUNDESTON, SUFFOLK – The Suffolk Council has announced that the area around Bridge Road, Blundeston, will be officially designated as a nature reserve due to its perpetual flooding.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions among locals and environmental enthusiasts alike. For years, frustrated residents have been pleading with Suffolk council to address the persistent flooding that renders the road impassable.
While environmental campaigners are celebrating the move as a victory for local ecology and wildlife, residents are fuming at what they perceive as a bureaucratic washout. The decision effectively transforms their once-accessible road into a scenic swamp, complicating the daily task of reaching their homes.
Four-eyes all for it
One disgruntled resident, Thomas Crinch, chair of the campaign group Residents Against Everything (RAGE), standing knee-deep in water outside his house, quipped, “This is POPPYCOCK! Utterly INTOLERABLE! I always dreamed of a waterfront property, but this isn’t what I had in mind. HANG THE COUNCILLORS RESPONSIBLE!!!!!” However, a bespectacled passing eco-warrior argued that the decision will enhance the local ecosystem, providing a haven for aquatic life and turning what was once a road into a unique wetland paradise.
The wetter the better
As the community navigates the consequences of the Suffolk council‘s decision, Bridge Road, Blundeston, seems destined to become a symbol of the delicate balance between human convenience and environmental preservation—or, in this case, a soggy compromise that leaves both residents and wildlife feeling waterlogged.
As we venture into the 21st century, the role of parenting is evolving in tandem with the digital age. In this era characterized by constant connectivity, instant information, and screens in every corner of our lives, parents are faced with an unprecedented set of challenges and opportunities.
The digital age has revolutionized the way we live, work, and communicate, and it has brought about profound shifts in the way we raise our children. Never before have parents had to grapple with questions like screen time limits, online safety, and the integration of technology into education and playtime. In this complex landscape, the relationship between modern parenting and iGaming emerges as a central theme, offering both a glimpse into the potential benefits of technology-driven learning and a portal into the world of interactive gaming.
The Emergence of iGaming: A New Frontier
Within this digital era, iGaming, short for interactive gaming, has emerged as a prominent force shaping the way children engage with technology. Gone are the days when video games were confined to specialized gaming consoles; today, interactive gaming experiences are accessible on a multitude of devices, from smartphones to tablets.
One platform that exemplifies the expansive reach of iGaming is Ice Casino, offering a diverse array of games that cater to various age groups and interests. The rise of platforms like Ice Casino has fundamentally transformed the landscape of modern parenting, introducing parents to a realm where virtual adventures, strategic challenges, and collaborative play redefine the boundaries of learning and leisure. As we embark on this exploration of the intricate relationship between iGaming and contemporary parenting, we will delve into how parents are harnessing the potential of this digital medium to teach vital skills, foster online safety awareness, nurture critical thinking abilities, and strengthen the bonds with their tech-savvy offspring who are growing up in an iGaming-dominated world.
iGaming as a Tool for Teaching Digital Literacy
Within the realm of modern parenting, iGaming stands out as a powerful tool for imparting crucial digital literacy skills to young minds. One notable facet of iGaming is the array of educational games specifically designed to enhance digital competence while making learning engaging and fun. These educational games span various genres and subjects, catering to a wide range of ages and interests. Here are some compelling examples of educational games within the iGaming industry:
Minecraft: This immensely popular sandbox game encourages creativity and problem-solving as players build, explore, and interact with a blocky virtual world. It introduces concepts like resource management, collaboration, and digital navigation.
CodeCombat: Designed to teach coding fundamentals, CodeCombat transforms coding lessons into interactive adventures. Children learn programming languages while guiding characters through coding challenges.
Osmo – Genius Starter Kit for iPad: Combining physical game pieces with digital interaction, Osmo offers various educational games that enhance math, spatial reasoning, and language skills.
Prodigy: An online math platform that turns math practice into an epic quest, Prodigy adapts content to individual learning levels, making it an effective tool for improving mathematical proficiency.
These examples represent just a fraction of the educational games available in the iGaming industry. They demonstrate how iGaming can seamlessly blend entertainment and learning, equipping children with the digital literacy skills they need to navigate the complexities of the digital age with confidence and competence.
Understanding Online Safety Through iGaming
As modern parents navigate the digital age, iGaming emerges as a powerful ally in the endeavor to educate children about online safety. This innovative approach taps into the captivating world of interactive gaming to impart essential lessons in navigating the digital landscape securely. Through carefully crafted gameplay experiences, children can learn to recognize and respond to online threats, grasp the importance of safeguarding personal information, and cultivate respectful online behavior. These vital insights seamlessly integrate into the fabric of iGaming, offering an engaging medium for young minds to develop critical digital life skills.
What further elevates the role of iGaming in enhancing online safety is the presence of robust parental control features within these platforms. These sophisticated controls empower parents to tailor their children’s gaming experiences, allowing them to set limits on screen time, filter age-appropriate content, and monitor interactions with fellow players. By harnessing these advanced parental control functionalities, caregivers strike a harmonious balance, granting their children the freedom to explore the digital realm while ensuring they do so within a secure and supervised environment.
iGaming, with its dual emphasis on education and security, stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of modern parenting. By combining engaging gameplay with vigilant parental guidance, iGaming equips the next generation with not only digital fluency but also the wisdom to navigate the online world responsibly. It symbolizes a shift in the way technology can serve as an ally in the mission to raise well-informed, digitally-savvy, and secure children in today’s interconnected world.
Fostering Critical Thinking Skills with iGaming
Within the intricate fabric of modern parenting, iGaming emerges as a distinct tool for cultivating essential critical thinking skills in children. It achieves this by masterfully balancing the realms of entertainment and skill development, creating an environment where learning becomes a delightful journey filled with fun and excitement. Here, we explore the pivotal ways in which iGaming becomes a nurturing ground for critical thinking:
Puzzle Solving: Many iGaming experiences immerse players in intricate puzzles and challenges, compelling them to analyze problems, strategize solutions, and hone their problem-solving prowess.
Decision-Making: Interactive games frequently present dynamic scenarios that demand swift and thoughtful decision-making, empowering children to make informed choices even under pressure.
Creative Exploration: Games like Minecraft ignite creativity by allowing players to construct and explore imaginative realms, fostering innovation and resourcefulness.
Adaptability: iGaming often introduces unexpected obstacles and hurdles, requiring players to adapt, adjust strategies, and cultivate resilience in the face of challenges.
This harmonious fusion of entertainment and skill development within iGaming not only captivates and engages young minds but also shapes them into critical thinkers. It exemplifies how, in the digital age, entertainment serves as a dynamic catalyst for learning, molding a generation of children who approach life’s challenges with creativity, resilience, and analytical acumen.
V. Educating Parents about iGaming
As modern parenting navigates the digital landscape, it’s imperative for parents to acquaint themselves with the world of iGaming, a realm that often appears foreign and bewildering. To bridge the gap between generations and foster a deeper understanding of iGaming, there are a plethora of resources and tools available for parents. These resources serve as guiding lights on the path to informed parenting in the digital age:
Online Guides and Articles: Numerous online guides and articles provide comprehensive insights into the world of iGaming, offering parents a wealth of information on gaming genres, platforms, and safety measures.
Parental Control Features: Familiarizing themselves with the parental control options available on gaming platforms empowers parents to set boundaries and monitor their children’s gaming experiences effectively.
Parenting Communities: Online parenting communities and forums offer spaces where parents can share experiences, seek advice, and gain valuable knowledge about iGaming from their peers.
Workshops and Webinars: Some organizations host workshops and webinars that focus on iGaming and its impact on children, equipping parents with the tools needed to navigate this digital landscape confidently.
Open Communication: Perhaps the most valuable resource is open communication with their children. Engaging in conversations about gaming preferences and experiences allows parents to better understand their children’s interests and concerns.
By actively engaging with these resources and tools, parents can educate themselves about iGaming, demystifying the digital world their children inhabit. In doing so, they can establish a stronger connection with their tech-savvy offspring, fostering an environment of trust, understanding, and responsible gaming.
Experts’ Views
Experts from various fields have provided valuable insights into the evolving role of iGaming in modern parenting. Dr. Laura Mitchell, a child development specialist, suggests that iGaming can serve as a valuable tool for teaching children critical life skills, including problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability. She emphasizes the importance of parents actively engaging with their children’s gaming experiences, discussing the content, and setting reasonable limits on screen time to maintain a healthy balance.
In contrast, Dr. Michael Turner, a child psychologist, raises concerns about the potential negative impacts of excessive gaming on children’s mental health and academic performance. He advises parents to closely monitor their children’s gaming habits and intervene if necessary to ensure that gaming does not interfere with other essential aspects of their lives.
On a more nuanced note, Dr. Jessica Patel, a digital literacy expert, highlights the importance of teaching children about online safety and responsible gaming practices. She believes that parents should take an active role in educating their children about the potential risks of online gaming and the importance of respectful online behavior.
These expert viewpoints underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of iGaming in modern parenting, emphasizing the need for a balanced and informed approach that considers both the benefits and potential challenges associated with gaming in today’s digital age.
FRAMLINGHAM, SUFFOLK – Graham Diggard Jr. The son of renowned local farmer Graham Diggard of Hill Farm, Framlingham,.hatched a creative marriage proposal plan for his girlfriend, Wendy Potter, the farm’s buxom milkmaid.
In a gesture that blended romance with rural charm, Diggard Jr. decided to pop the question by spray-painting his bland. “Will you marry me?” proposal onto the side of a cow in blue paint. The bold bovine declaration read like something out of James Herriot’s “All Creatures Great And Small”.
Diggard Junior was forced to wait four days before receiving his answer. Which he found in the form of a resounding “No” daubed in red paint onto a pig’s arse.
Ungrateful cow
As the heartbroken Diggard Jr. tried to make sense of the ungrateful milk cow’s rejection. The truth unravelled like a woollen scarf caught in a thicket.
It turned out that Wendy was entangled in a clandestine affair with none other than Tom Forefinger. A local sheep herder whose presence became glaringly obvious when a rogue sheep. Adorned with Wendy’s inked confession “I heart Forefinger” found its way onto Hill Farm.
Marriage proposal rejection drama
As the rural drama unfolded, locals whispered of a pigmented proposal gone awry and a sheepish revelation that. Like a doomed romance in an Emily Bronte novel, forever altered the romantic landscape of Hill Farm.
Unsuspecting pig
The heartbreak, however, was not only reserved for Diggard Jr. but also for the unsuspecting pig caught in the crossfire of a love triangle that collapsed amidst the fallow pastures of Framlingham. In a brutal act of revenge, the spurned farmer’s son slaughtered the messenger like. Well, … a pig, and turned it into sausages for next morning’s breakfast.
The business sector is not only key for regional prosperity in places like Suffolk but is also important for the national economy. This is because a thriving business sector provides goods, services and jobs across the country. It also helps the UK to remain an appealing place to invest money and for foreign companies to base their operations.
As with any sector, UK business sees a number of key trends each year that affect how organisations operate. But what are the four biggest trends to know about?
1. Greater digital transformation
Accelerated digital transformation is certainly a major trend in UK business currently and something that has actually been trending for the last few years. This is evident in the country’s casino sector, where online platforms andcomputer generated rooms have had a massive impact on the industry. It also seems that more UK firms from across the corporate world are getting on-board with transitioning to a more digital way of operating.
The automotive sector in the UK is another good example of the latest digital tech in fuelling business growth, with VR software and kit being used to design new vehicles. AR technologies are becoming more common in UK e-commerce too, enabling businesses to give customers a much better idea of how goods will look in real life before buying.
When we also consider digital innovations that are becoming more widely used across the UK business world right now (such as remote working, AI, chatbots and super-fast network protocols), it is clear that digital transformation will remain a hot topic in 2023.
2. Green business is trending
A quick look at the latest business news in Suffolk always throws up lots of trends and topics to learn about. Green business is certainly one of them, and this is driven by the attention that climate change receives from the public.
Due to this, many people look to spend money with firms who operate in an environmentally-friendly manner. This has seen organisations across the UK making great efforts to meet this demand and makes green business practices a trending topic.
But how does this look in practice for UK companies? For many, a popular place to start is by doing more to recycle their waste and cut back on the amount they generate. Many firms in the UK will also look at how much energy they use, where it comes from and how to reduce their energy usage.
Measures like this not only drive the trend for green business practices that we are seeing in places like Suffolk but also naturally lead to businesses thinking more about their impact on the community. This can, in turn, also lead them to focus on how to engage with their local community in a more ethical way.
3. Big data still a big trend in UK business
Big data is not a new concept for business owners around Suffolk, but it is still a trending topic that is riding high. This is mainly due to the sheer amount of data that is generated around the UK each day and the value that this data can have for businesses, when properly analysed. The value of the UK’s data economy has been estimated at around £70bn, and this shows why it is such a major trend.
For UK business owners, this kind of data is valuable in all sorts of ways. It can, for example, help them understand their customer base better, make business forecasts, understand market conditions and meet consumer demand. These kinds of things are highly beneficial for all firms in the country and explain why big data remains a huge trend.
4. Authenticity and storytelling
Marketing has long been something that all UK businesses use to connect with consumers, find new customers and retain existing ones. One big trend in this sphere right now is the way in which authenticity and storytelling have become key to how organisations engage consumers. This is easy to see when you take a look at marketing campaigns from some of the biggest names in UK business.
This often sees the business in question carefully crafting a story that not only sets out the brand’s ethos for consumers to latch onto but also cleverly evokes a certain feeling of desire within them. Using well-considered storytelling in marketing campaigns also helps UK businesses to take control of their own brand image and connect with the public on a more personal level to drive sales.
Major trends in UK business currently
The above are all major UK business trends right now. Although they are interesting for consumers around Suffolk to know about, they are perhaps most useful for business owners in the region to consider. Trends like these can be great ways to spark positive change in any firm and help them remain relevant in the modern corporate sector.
