New-look for troubled estate

By Patrick Lowman

A SHOPPING arcade on the edge of a troubled housing estate could be demolished to make way for a multi-million-pound development.

Babergh District Council's housing task group has recommended the Poplar Road shops in Great Cornard should be demolished to make way for a major redevelopment which would see new shops, offices, homes and community buildings put up.

Great Cornard parish councillor and task group member, Neil MacMaster, said: “The development would be a great boost for Great Cornard.

“The area has been a problem for years and people don't feel safe up there in the evenings. It would make the whole environment better for the people living in the area.

“At the moment we haven't got the right blend of shops and the buildings look outdated and horrible. We know what the community needs and this new development is good opportunity to create a new era in the area.”

The proposal goes before Babergh council's strategy committee on Thursday, which is being urged to approve the plan, pending further investigations into costs, funding and public consultation.

Although design and layout plans have not yet been drawn up, it is envisaged the new shops could be designed for the current tenants with a number of small commercial office units above the premises.

It is also proposed that a greater number of one-bedroom flats and two and three-bedroom houses could be built on the site, plus a community resource with meeting rooms.

Funding for the multi-million-pound project would come from a range of sources including Babergh council, a housing association and the Sudbury and Great Cornard Community Energy Project.

patrick.lowman@eadt.co.uk