Latest news with #WestSuffolkCouncil
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
West Suffolk Council's net zero pledge pushed back by nine years
A council said it had been forced to push its "ambitious" net zero target back by nine years, after conceding a "more realistic plan" was Suffolk Council had hoped to be completely net zero by 2030, having declared a climate emergency in September authority said it had made "significant progress" in reducing its carbon emissions while helping homeowners, businesses and the wider community do the it said due to "elements out of our control" a "more deliverable timeline" had to be established, with a revised target of 2039 being set. 'Being honest is key' Gerald Kelly, independent cabinet member for governance, regulatory and environment, said net zero by 2030 was "an ambitious aim"."Pushing ourselves to hit that target has put us in the strong position we are in today, but due to elements out of our control, we now need a more realistic plan," he said."And being honest about that fact is a key part of maintaining trust in this agenda."Since declaring a climate emergency, the authority said it had prevented at least 7,000 tonnes of carbon consumed by third parties such as homes, businesses and community groups from entering the atmosphere every various schemes, it said it had also helped those struggling with the cost of living to manage energy council's own carbon consumption currently stands at just below 5,000 tonnes each year - 13% lower in absolute terms than in 2019, it also wants to remove a further 1,000 tonnes before 2029 and plant 5,000 trees. Last year, a review of the council's progress towards net zero identified areas for council's Environment and Sustainability Reference Group recommended actions including phasing out gas use in authority buildings and exploring opportunities to set more stringent building to remove gas will soon get under way, after the council was awarded £4.1m from the government to decarbonise its Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill leisure centres. 'Momentum and optimism' Despite the funding, the authority said new national demands meant its target had become harder to cited government-led initiatives such as Simpler Recycling, which will aim to streamline waste collections across England by making councils separate food waste and dry recycling from general waste by the council said this would increase the demand for new waste collection vehicles, which in turn would boost emissions. Despite this, Kelly assured residents net zero would one day become a reality in the west of the county. "The new trajectory includes decarbonising the leisure centres in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill, installing solar canopies at the Mildenhall Hub car park, to name a few projects," he said."The revised target allows us to keep the momentum and optimism for tackling climate change going and continue to make significant progress." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Supermarket and burger chain planned at ex-waste site
A supermarket and drive-through restaurant could be built at a former household waste site. West Suffolk Council announced that German supermarket chain Aldi and American fast food outlet Wendy's have signed agreements to rent buildings which the authority is looking to build on the site. The Rougham Hill recycling centre, at Bury St Edmunds, was replaced by a new site in 2020 and was briefly used as a Covid-19 testing site during the coronavirus pandemic. Diane Hind, cabinet member for resources at the council said: "It will create employment for our local communities both through opportunities at the two businesses, and through the construction phase." The buildings will need planning permission and the authority said it would evaluate the final costs but was looking to complete construction "over the next few years." The site is opposite a new build housing development where 900 homes could be built. If all went to plan, Aldi would be the second supermarket from the same brand in Bury St Edmunds, whilst the Wendy's would be the only franchise in Suffolk. Carl Morris, managing director of Blank Table Ltd, who are the franchisee for Wendy's for the East of England, said: "Opening our first drive-through restaurant in the region represents a significant step in our commitment to expanding Wendy's footprint across the UK". Hind said renting out land to commercial businesses was important to boost council finances, with less than 20% of the authority's spend being covered by council tax income. "Much of the rest of our income comes from fees and charges and capital investments such as this," she added. "We can invest to achieve the regeneration of strategic sites, supporting the sustainable growth of our economy while also creating additional annual income to help fund public services and keep council tax as low as we possibly can." A public consultation on the plans has been launched and runs until 16 April. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Housing targets 'extremely challenging' - councils Village shop opens thanks to community volunteers 'Bright future' for town as council plans facelift West Suffolk Council
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Aldi and Wendy's planned at former Suffolk waste site
A supermarket and drive-through restaurant could be built at a former household waste site. West Suffolk Council announced that German supermarket chain Aldi and American fast food outlet Wendy's have signed agreements to rent buildings which the authority is looking to build on the Rougham Hill recycling centre, at Bury St Edmunds, was replaced by a new site in 2020 and was briefly used as a Covid-19 testing site during the coronavirus Hind, cabinet member for resources at the council said: "It will create employment for our local communities both through opportunities at the two businesses, and through the construction phase." The buildings will need planning permission and the authority said it would evaluate the final costs but was looking to complete construction "over the next few years."The site is opposite a new build housing development where 900 homes could be built. If all went to plan, Aldi would be the second supermarket from the same brand in Bury St Edmunds, whilst the Wendy's would be the only franchise in Suffolk. Carl Morris, managing director of Blank Table Ltd, who are the franchisee for Wendy's for the East of England, said: "Opening our first drive-through restaurant in the region represents a significant step in our commitment to expanding Wendy's footprint across the UK". Hind said renting out land to commercial businesses was important to boost council finances, with less than 20% of the authority's spend being covered by council tax income."Much of the rest of our income comes from fees and charges and capital investments such as this," she added."We can invest to achieve the regeneration of strategic sites, supporting the sustainable growth of our economy while also creating additional annual income to help fund public services and keep council tax as low as we possibly can."A public consultation on the plans has been launched and runs until 16 April. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Motocross rider named by friend had two daughters
A motocross rider who died at a circuit on Sunday has been named by friends on social media. Wojtek Rozmus, 43 of Greater London, had been riding at the course at West Row, near Mildenhall in Suffolk. Mildenhall MX said there had been a "fatality at the track" in a now-deleted social media post and its owner Cliff Bastwick said the track's management was "obviously very sad about it". West Suffolk Council said its health and safety team was investigating. Mr Rozmus' friend, Kyle Creevey, said he was "not just one of my best friends but a role model to how to be the perfect man". "His smile would light up a room, his positive outlook on life would reassure you there is a fun side to life, his passion for motocross and extreme sports was undeniable," he said. Mr Creevey added his friend "was loved by all and hated by no-one - the nicest guy you would ever meet". He said Mr Rozmus had two young daughters and had been with his wife for more than 20 years. An online fundraiser "raising monies for his family to cover all the inevitable costs they will now incur" had seen over £5,000 donated in less than 24 hours. It was the second fatal incident in six months at the track, where riders go up and down earthen mounds, next to the West Row speedway and motorsports stadium. Rider George Edwards, 17, died while taking part in an event in September. In another Facebook post, also since deleted, the track said: "This is just to say we are doing everything possible in light of yesterday's tragic event. "I can tell you with certainty, the track was as safe as it has ever been. "Yes, we have had two deaths in six months and this is shocking but for 24 years we had no fatal injuries. "Health and safety and all necessary procedures are adhered to but we will be going through everything all over again because safety is first and foremost." West Suffolk Council's health and safety department said: "We can confirm that we are investigating an incident at Mildenhall Motocross that has sadly resulted in the death of a motocross rider at the weekend, and our thoughts are with their friends and family." The East of England Ambulance Service sent three road ambulances, a paramedic car and an air ambulance to the circuit. "Sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, a man died at the scene," a spokesperson said. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Death at motocross track is second in six months Rider dies while taking part in motocross event Mildenhall Motocross West Suffolk Council
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Motocross rider who died at Mildenhall named as Wojtek Rozmus
A motocross rider who died at a circuit on Sunday has been named by friends on social media. Wojtek Rozmus, 43 of Greater London, had been riding at the course at West Row, near Mildenhall in Suffolk. Mildenhall MX said there had been a "fatality at the track" in a now-deleted social media post and its owner Cliff Bastwick said the track's management was "obviously very sad about it".West Suffolk Council said its health and safety team was investigating. Mr Rozmus' friend, Kyle Creevey, said he was "not just one of my best friends but a role model to how to be the perfect man"."His smile would light up a room, his positive outlook on life would reassure you there is a fun side to life, his passion for motocross and extreme sports was undeniable," he Creevey added his friend "was loved by all and hated by no-one - the nicest guy you would ever meet".He said Mr Rozmus had two young daughters and had been with his wife for more than 20 online fundraiser "raising monies for his family to cover all the inevitable costs they will now incur" had seen over £5,000 donated in less than 24 hours. It was the second fatal incident in six months at the track, where riders go up and down earthen mounds, next to the West Row speedway and motorsports George Edwards, 17, died while taking part in an event in another Facebook post, also since deleted, the track said: "This is just to say we are doing everything possible in light of yesterday's tragic event."I can tell you with certainty, the track was as safe as it has ever been."Yes, we have had two deaths in six months and this is shocking but for 24 years we had no fatal injuries."Health and safety and all necessary procedures are adhered to but we will be going through everything all over again because safety is first and foremost."West Suffolk Council's health and safety department said: "We can confirm that we are investigating an incident at Mildenhall Motocross that has sadly resulted in the death of a motocross rider at the weekend, and our thoughts are with their friends and family."The East of England Ambulance Service sent three road ambulances, a paramedic car and an air ambulance to the circuit."Sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, a man died at the scene," a spokesperson said. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
