A HIGH Court judge was today asked to revive a bid to redevelop a former sugar beet factory in Ipswich with more than a 1,000 homes and a range of businesses that would create up to 500 jobs.

A HIGH Court judge was today asked to revive a bid to redevelop a former sugar beet factory in Ipswich with more than a 1,000 homes and a range of businesses that would create up to 500 jobs.

Developer JG Land & Estates is challenging the decision by government to refuse planning permission for the Broadmeadow development in Sproughton Road.

It is asking judge Mr Justice Keith to quash the decision and order Hazel Blears, minister for communities and local government, to reconsider the application.

The move comes just a few days after the company began analysing feedback over its new plans to find an alternative use for the site.

The Development Brief proposes using the land for businesses instead, including a container storage area for The Port of Felixstowe.

John Jowitt, planning director of JG Land & Estates, said: “This document was published following the negative decision towards our previous planning application in 2007 for a mixed use development.

“As the owner of this important brown field site, we are committed to finding a viable future for Broadmeadow.

“This is clearly a site of vital importance to those living nearby and from the views received it is clear that many of them are naturally concerned about the implications of a purely industrial development.”

JG Land & Estates claimed at the appeal in London that the inspector misinterpreted the Local Plan policy for the area when they rejected the planning application.

And it says that she failed to take into account that the proposal would deliver between 300 and 500 jobs to the area.

However, lawyers for the government argue that the inspector's reasons are clear and coherent, and that her decision was entirely lawful.

The judge is expected to reserve his decision, in order to give it in writing at a later date.