Concerns emerge over 160-home plans on edge of Bury St Edmunds as services lacking

Plans for 160 new homes have attracted concerns over a lack of services and infrastructure.

Pigeon Capital Management submitted a bid to West Suffolk Council to build the development on land north of Mount Road in Rougham, on the edge of Bury St Edmunds.

If the outline application wins planning approval, 40 per cent of the homes would be affordable housing and 10 per cent custom self-build.

But the plans have attracted some opposition during the consultation period, which ended April 11, mainly concerning the available infrastructure in the area.

One objector said: "Bury St Edmunds is a beautiful town, however, it is being swallowed up and its charm lost to so many new houses being built.

"The infrastructure is just not there to support yet more houses."

Cllr Birgitte Mager, the ward member, added Moreton Hall was already at 'breaking point' when it comes to HGV and lorry traffic with no cash available for repairs to roundabouts.

A representation from the Moreton Hall Residents' Association questioned the need for extra housing over and above the 120-home allocation and pointed to several concerns from residents, including lacking GP, dentistry and pharmacy services as well as education provision and public transport.

The association said: "We are extremely concerned about the lack of required infrastructure to meet the demands of more housing on top of other developments already granted approval in the area."

The stress on local health services was highlighted by the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, which said provision would be unsustainable if left without mitigation.

The ICB asked for a £92,200 contribution to provide additional floor space at Mount Farm Surgery.

Further financial contributions totalling just over £2.5 million were required by the county council, the majority of which would be used to build a new primary school and deliver a secondary school expansion.

The new primary school is part of the emerging plans for the former Rougham Airfield, alongside a local centre.

The emerging plan for the former Rougham Airfield also features a mix of uses on-site, including a primary school, a library, a care home, allotments, and play areas.

Rushbrooke with Rougham Parish Council has objected to the proposals, while Bury St Edmunds Town Council supported the development.

Vehicular access to the development would be provided by a new priority junction with Mount Road, to the south east of the site boundary.

Two new bus stops are proposed alongside the plans.

The determination deadline for the development is June 6.