Tuddenham: Primary school set to be replaced with six homes and new village hall

Tuddenham Primary School has stood empty since the school was replaced by a new state-of-the-art centre in Red Lodge back in the summer of 2012.

The scheme for the site made up of six homes, a new village hall and better parking and recreation facilities has been in the pipeline since the school closed, but was withdrawn and resubmitted in August last year. Forest Heath District Council planning officers have now recommended the scheme for approval, with the council’s development control committee due to determine the application at its meeting on Wednesday.

The scheme has the backing of Tuddenham Parish Council, provided access is retained through the site from the High Street to the community area at the back of the proposed scheme, which is included in the plans. However, some residents have voiced objections, such as the scheme being too big for a village of Tuddenham’s size, as well as wanting to see the site retained as a school to address a shortage of places.

Deborah Miller wrote in her objection: “As a designated unsustainable village, housing developments of this size are inappropriate in Tuddenham.

“A reduction in the number of planned large houses should seriously be considered, particularly as we are already suffering major difficulties with the inadequate sewage system, which was never designed to cope with the enormous impact from Red Lodge. Until that is resolved, the number of new builds should be restricted.” The site includes provision for a two-bedroom social housing unit, as well as five three and four-bedroom detached family homes.

A new access road would be built through the site towards a new 27-space car park and the new village hall, which has been earmarked to replace the old one opposite the school. The site is owned by the local village charity the Cockerton Trust, which was given the school back in 2012.

Wednesday’s meeting starts at 6pm at Forest Heath’s offices in Mildenhall.