PLANS have been submitted for a 140-home redevelopment of a site which was formerly a market town's most important industrial area.

David Green

PLANS have been submitted for a 140-home redevelopment of a site which was formerly a market town's most important industrial area.

Hopkins Homes is seeking outline permission for the redevelopment of what is known locally as the Bibby's and Walne's Seeds site at Framlingham - once employing dozens of local people but now partially derelict.

The scheme, submitted after a public consultation exercise, proposes some commercial floor space together with 140 homes, including “affordable” housing.

Plans sent to Suffolk Coastal District Council include areas of public open space following the demolition of existing buildings, many of them clad with asbestos sheets.

Hopkins Homes has amended its plans following the public consultation, reducing the number of homes from 153 to 140, introducing further green areas, improving pedestrian and cycle links and re-designing to reduce impact on neighbouring properties.

Some people requested the retention of some of the industrial buildings, on the grounds they were part of the town's heritage, but the company said surveys had shown this was not feasible, because of structural defects.

One third of all the homes would be “affordable”, consisting of a mix of one to four bedroomed homes, available both for shared ownership or rented accommodation, with priority given to local people.

A financial contribution is to be made to Suffolk County Council to help expand accommodation at local schools, pressure on which will increase when families occupy the proposed development.

Hopkins Homes development director, Simon Bryan, said: “We are tremendously excited at reaching this stage after considerable consultation and feel that the outline plans submitted reflect comments received from the community, while also ensuring that the scheme is in line with the Government's planning policies.

“We are proud to be involved in this wonderful opportunity to regenerate this derelict site and create a landmark development at the entry into the town.

Mr Bryan said local residents and business representatives who attended the group presentations and signed in at the public exhibition would receive summary details of the proposals within the next few days.

Local residents wishing to comment on the outline plans are being invited to contact the developers via a freephone telephone number, 0800 298 7040.

Eileen Coe, town council clerk, said as a result of the large public interest in the development, the outline application would be considered at a full council meeting on June 5.

The town council will give its views to the district council prior to a decision being taken on whether to grant planning permission.