DEVELOPERS are confident that a multi-million pound scheme to transform a village by building 270 homes and relocating a rugby club will finally be approved.
DEVELOPERS are confident that a multi-million pound scheme to transform a village by building 270 homes and relocating a rugby club will finally be approved.
Persimmon Homes wants to relocate Sudbury Rugby Club, which is off Rugby Road, Great Cornard to make way for the new development.
It first applied to Babergh District Council to go ahead with the plans in 2001, but a decision has been delayed because of complex planning issues and large number of objections to the scheme.
Residents outraged by the plans formed the Cornard Action Group and are bitterly fighting to have the scheme thrown out.
They are concerned about the increased traffic the scheme would bring to the village and the positioning of social housing on the site.
The group also insists the land has potential flood problems and does not feel sufficient regard has been made to ancient ring ditches which surround the site.
But the developers say they have been working with the Environment Agency and the county highways department to overcome the flooding and traffic concerns.
The company also said it has addressed Babergh's planning policy to ensure the scheme meets all guidelines.
Persimmon's land director Martin Davidson said: "Since we put in the original application there has been some changes in Babergh's planning policies regarding the mix of dwellings and the element of social housing.
"Our architect is now drawing up the new plans and we hope to submit them by July. We have carried out a major study with the Environment Agency and the highways department and we hope we have overcome those concerns.
"We can not comment on the exact number of houses until the plans are finished, but I am anticipating it will not be to dissimilar to the original plan. We are hopeful the scheme will be approved this time."
Key to the scheme is the relocation of the Sudbury Rugby Club from its Rugby Road site to land 400 yards away near Blackhouse Lane.
It is hoped the move will transform the fortunes of the club, enabling it to bank a six figure sum after it has opened its new headquarters.
Proposed facilities at the new site include a clubhouse, two pitches, all-weather training area and parking facilities.
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