Hard bargains may be driven in an effort to reach compromise over plans for up to 300 homes on the edge of a Suffolk village.

East Anglian Daily Times: Land in Rendlesham could be developed for up to 300 homes. Picture: TOM POTTERLand in Rendlesham could be developed for up to 300 homes. Picture: TOM POTTER (Image: Archant)

Rendlesham Parish Council sees as a chance to gain from financial rewards to improve infrastructure for the area – but may fight the bid if developers don’t truncate the earmarked area of land.

A public exhibition, hosted by planning consultants, allowed villagers to scrutinise an outline application on two arable fields, separated by woodland, to the Tunstall side of the village.

Richard Brown, acting for Christchurch Land Acquisitions and Development, said the project would be a natural extension to the village and help satisfy a wider need for housing.

He believes there is still a land supply deficiency in Suffolk Coastal, where the district council contends it can demonstrate a supply over and above the five years required by national policy.

East Anglian Daily Times: Parish council clerk, Heather Heelis, attends a public exhibition on plans for up to 300 homes in Rendlesham. Picture: TOM POTTERParish council clerk, Heather Heelis, attends a public exhibition on plans for up to 300 homes in Rendlesham. Picture: TOM POTTER (Image: Archant)

Mr Brown said: “There is now a realisation, at all levels, that we need more houses – especially more affordable housing.

“Significantly, one in three of the homes would be affordable.

“As a rural district, Suffolk Coastal’s sustainable settlements are limited, but Rendlesham is one of them.

“More homes means more people using local shops and services, and should allow the development of more facilities.

“Some people have raised issues about transport; others, about the impact on roads and drainage capacity – all of which we’ll be looking at.”

The parish council is only in favour of part of the development, but accepts that new homes would provide Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) income.

As one of the few parishes to have completed its Neighbourhood Plan (NP), Rendlesham would receive 25% of CIL – paid per square metre for infrastructure and other projects.

Parish clerk Heather Heelis said: “The parish council is fairly supportive of developing the portion of the site which complies with the neighbourhood plan.

“The area outside the physical boundary is, however, in dispute. The council is mindful of the impact it could have on residents of St Gregory’s Close, Jays Croft and parts of Redwald Road.

“We would like to think the developer will consider a partial development, which would have little impact on residents and still deliver significant CIL to develop the village centre.”