Cabinet member stresses eco-homes plan for Elmswell being on hold does not mean it will go ahead when issue comes back into debate

A controversial proposal to build 50 new eco homes in Elmswell is currently on hold and will then be consulted on.

This comes following last week’s referendum which saw resounding resident support for taking out a piece of land north of Church Road, where the development was proposed, out of the settlement boundary, making new housing much harder to build on the site

In a decision made by Mid Suffolk’s cabinet on August 8, councillors took on residents’ criticisms of the development and agreed to defer any progress to when the second part of the Joint Local Plan progressed.

The local plan is the document outlining planning policies, guidance and proposals for new developments within both districts, with the first phase having been approved last Tuesday.

This means the 50 eco homes project would remain on hold until 2026 when the second phase is expected to be approved.

Cllr Richard Winch, cabinet member for housing and property, said this does not mean the project will go ahead when the issue eventually comes back into the debate as the current administration was aware of the project’s lack of popularity.

Instead, he added, the council will be consulting with residents and the parish council about what the best option moving forward is.

In the past, the parish council has expressed its desire to have a new school and community facility being built on the site and has already indicated it will continue to follow that option.