Development for the Ipswich Northern Fringe is set to take a step closer on Wednesday as outline plans for nearly 2,000 homes are expected to be approved.

East Anglian Daily Times: Demolition work at the Sproughton sugar beet factory site. Picture: NICOLE DRURY, IBCDemolition work at the Sproughton sugar beet factory site. Picture: NICOLE DRURY, IBC (Image: Ipswich Borough Council)

Two outline planning applications have been submitted for decision to Ipswich Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday on both sides of the Westerfield Road railway line.

Mersea Homes has submitted plans for 815 homes to the south of the rail line, as well as a district centre featuring restaurants, pubs, shops, business space, as well as provision for a health centre and school.

Crest Nicholson meanwhile has submitted plans for 1,100 homes to the north of the railway and east of Henley Road, also comprising a community centre, local centre, primary school land, sports facilities, country park and open space.

Both sets of plans have been recommended for approval.

The planning report said the Ipswich Garden Suburb “plays an important part” in delivering the 9,777 homes needed by 2031 in the local plan, while the Mersea Homes application added that “the proposed development is designed to be a sustainable new garden suburb extension to north Ipswich,” which “offers a range of positive benefits”.

However, objections had been put forward by Westerfield Parish Council.

The whole Garden Suburb scheme is set to feature up to 3,500 homes between Henley Road and Tuddenham Road, with construction earmarked for a 13 year period.

New schools, health services, pedestrian and vehicles bridges over the railway and neighbourhood shopping are also on the cards.

Last month, the borough council reported that it had been successful in securing nearly £10million from the government’s housing infrastructure fund.

At the same time on Wednesday, Babergh District Council’s planning committee is to decide on plans for the first phase of the Sugar Beet Factory redevelopment in Sproughton Road, with planners recommending the Sproughton Enterprise Park plans be approved.

It proposes to transform the Ipswich Borough Council-owned site into a business park, with multi-national food company LDH Ladoria understood to be aiming to build a distribution centre which will create 200 jobs.