Plans for 400 homes win council backing

Plans for 400 new homes that were previously refused have moved forward eight years after being rejected.

West Suffolk Council met to discuss issues including the appearance and layout of the development in Fordham Road in Newmarket, Suffolk.

The project had been rejected by the government in 2016 but the decision was reversed by the government in 2020.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jon London said the project provided a "well-needed injection of houses" into the area.

The plans have become known as the Hatchfield Farm estate.

In 2009, the original bid for the site was made by the 19th Earl of Derby, Edward Stanley, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In total 1,200 new homes were planned but this was turned down the following year and refused at an appeal in 2012.

The plans were revised to 400 homes and later submitted again but they were once again rejected by the government in 2016.

The High Court overturned this decision the next year before the government reconsidered the plans in 2020 and gave permission.

West Suffolk Council's development control committee met to discuss the final stages of the application that involved the appearance, layout, landscaping and scale.

There were no public representations made during the consultation period and only one objection from Newmarket Town Council stating the housing mix did not meet the community’s needs.

The committee members voted to approve the plans with 14 votes in favour and one abstention.

Jonathon Dixon, planning consultant for the applicant's agent, Savills, said local feedback had been "instrumental" in informing the plans.

He stressed the scheme would deliver much needed high quality homes.

Mr London added: "I’ve spoken to many people in Exning who are struggling to find homes near to the people and communities they know, so this is a well-needed injection of houses into the local stock."

The company has already indicated that it is hoping the scheme’s first phase will be completed by the end of 2025, with the whole development coming together in 2029.

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