The first new families in a 99-home housing development in a rural market town are expected to move in by the end of the year, as work on the town’s new “gateway” gets underway.
Development of the derelict site in Framlingham’s Station Road has been in the pipeline since Hopkins Homes came forward with plans in 2010, initially for 140 homes. However, the number of dwellings was reduced when the developer sought to have its affordable housing obligations removed from the site on the grounds that the provision would make it “financially unviable”. Suffolk Coastal District Council refused the request, however it was approved under appeal by the Planning Inspectorate in July 2014.
The development will comprise one- and two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom coach houses, three- and four-bedroom town houses and a detached bungalow, with the first families to move in in late part of 2016.
A sales cabin will open at the site on Saturday, while the show home is expected to be ready to view in September.
The site is expected to be completed in its entirity by the end of 2018, and will be named Prospect Place.
The street scene has been inspired by the town’s former railway station and engine sheds on the old factory site in a bid to reflect its Victorian history.
Christopher Hudson, district councillor for Framlingham, said: “It’s very welcome that the development is going ahead, but it is long overdue.
“It’s never welcome when you lose affordable homes. Anything is better than the sight that’s there. When it was open, people were worried that travellers might move onto it.”
He added, however, that the start of the development had prompted further questions from residents as to when a second small supermarket would be built to cater to the increase in residents.
“I welcome it completely, but we need the infrastructure that goes along with it,” he said.
James Hopkins, executive chairman of Hopkins Homes, said: “This is a really exciting new development for Framlingham. Once it is finished it will create a fantastic and welcoming view for people arriving in the town.
“The development is creating 150 jobs which will be sustained throughout the project. We will also contribute over £400,000 towards local education, improvements of existing sports facilities within the town and to fund a pedestrian crossing on Station Road.”
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