Ipswich: Options revealed for northern fringe development
DETAILED options for the creation of a new “garden suburb” on the northern fringe of the town are to be debated for the first time tomorrow.
Thousands of new homes, primary schools, shops and a country park are among the proposals for the 480-acre site, which is expected to take shape over the next two decades.
Ipswich Borough Council’s executive is to have its first discussion about the options for a masterplan for the site, which is due to be finally approved in the second half of next year.
Ipswich MP Ben Gummer said the plans were an opportunity to build a “new community” whereas campaigners who have formed the Northern Fringe Protection Group expressed concerns over the increased traffic the development would bring.
The proposals focus on building up to 3,500 new homes on the site, together with three new primary schools, a new secondary school, a district centre and two “local centres” of convenience stores.
It is recommended that about 51 per cent of the land (247 acres) would be set aside for housing, and about 160 acres would be set aside for a country park and other open space.
Mr Gummer said: “The borough council has a great opportunity to use the northern fringe to create a really exceptional new community – I hope they take that.”
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Local residents have formed the Northern Fringe Protection Group to try to ensure the best possible protection for the area.
Protection group chairman Rod Brooks said he believed there were positive and negative aspects to the proposals.
He said: “From a positive point of view, it is good to see they are putting in a good amount of green spaces and the density of the homes is not as great as they were originally talking about.”
Mr Brooks added: “The main concern we have is that there is not enough thought that has been given to the traffic problems that it will cause.
“It’s all very well to say people can use public transport to get to work – but if you don’t live in the town centre that doesn’t apply.”
What is your view on these proposals? Write to Your letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starnews@archant.co.uk
