Oaks Meadow

The Oaks Meadow Project

*Good News*

We have been granted planning permission for Phase 1 of the Oaks Meadow Project!!

Thanks to those who wrote to the planning department supporting the application.

The map that was submitted was the bare bones of what we needed planning for ie the wildlife pond, eco toilet, vehicular access and pedestrian access.  Below is a concept plan of that area, showing what will surround the features that we have permission to construct.

The Trustees have already started to apply for funds to start all this work. The Woodland Trust have donated 350 trees, so there will be a working party as soon as the lockdown lifts to get these planted.

As has been said previously there will be an opportunity to purchase memorial trees and benches to have on the site, more information will be circulated on this after the steering group meeting next week.

2021 is going to be a very busy year!

The story so far:

Oaks Meadow belonged to Victor & Daphne Scarff as part of Fenn’s Farm. It was transferred to me, Desiree Shelley, in 2005 when I had hopes of developing it for growing herbs and medicinal plants, but sadly time and energy was never enough to carry this forward. 

The village fete was held here for 11 years and the occasional celebration, including the Combs village school reunion & May pole dancing, but apart from that the meadow has stood bare and desolate. 

Gradually, Combs has lost it’s facilities over the years, the village school, the Post Office & shop, the Live & Let Live & the Gardeners Arms pubs, leaving us with no meeting or socialising facility in the village. If nothing else, this lock down has shown us all how important our community is and that now is an ideal opportunity to build it up once again. 

In order to achieve this I have explored the possibility of developing a community woodland and greenspace with an Eco friendly, sustainable village hall and play area for the children. The recent Combs Parish Council questionnaire indicated that the residents would like to have such a space within easy reach of their homes. The Parish Council, District Council & County Council are all in support, which is a good start. 

Obviously, this project is going to need a lot of input from the villages. A steering group has already been set up, but sadly progress has been curtailed for the past three months. While funding is going to be more challenging now than it was hoped, the greenspace area can be started with many hands helping. 

If you would like to be involved with any of the following activities, please contact me at the address/email below.(help can be practical or advisory)

Fundraising         Tree planting       Hedging               Wildlife pond      Orchard management        Planting & growing food  

IT support            Community liaison            Newsletter           Design

Desiree Shelley   

Blackberry Barn, Bildeston Road, Combs, Stowmarket IP14 2JZ

desshelley@talk21.com