DEVELOPMENT of the controversial northern fringe of the town is inevitable and necessary – but should only happen once other sites nearer central Ipswich have been used.

That’s the view of the Ipswich Society as the borough continues to seek views on a potential masterplan for the north side of the town between Henley Road and Tuddenham Road.

The government has approved a proposal in the local development framework that says up to 5,000 new homes could be built in the area.

The council is now drawing up a masterplan for the development which would include shops, businesses, community facilities, and probably also a new school. In its latest newsletter the Ipswich Society accepts that the development will eventually be necessary, but other factors should be considered.

These include the possibility of developing sites in the town centre, especially sites which had previously been planned for retail development which have never taken off.

These include the Mint Quarter and former Civic Centre site.

The Society also wants the Masterplan to take account of the possible development of other sites in or near the town – like the former British Sugar site off Sproughton Road. This is in Babergh district which wants it developed as a business park and successfully fought off a bid for a mixed development including homes and local services.

And the Ipswich Society says that any Masterplan for the Northern Fringe must include detailed transport solutions with cycle routes and improved roads – as well as development of Westerfield railway station.

However they warn against creating “rat runs” which could allow traffic to use residential routes to create a northern by-pass by default.

Should the northern fringe be developed? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk