Controversial plans for a further 59 homes on land off Ixworth Road, Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, have been recommended for approval

Controversial plans for 59 homes in a Suffolk village have been recommended for approval, despite concerns.

Persimmon Homes has submitted a revised full planning application for the homes on land to the west of Ixworth Road, Thurston.

The proposals, now reduced by two homes from the original 61, includes 39 homes to be marketed, 20 affordable homes - six shared-ownership and 14 for affordable rent.

The application is for phase two of a larger development, totalling 248 homes, and granted outline permission in 2019. The first phase, known as College Park, to the north, has been completed.

A total of 124 objections were lodged by villagers to the earlier 61 home plan.

Despite the amendments to the application, Thurston Parish Council writes: "The parish council, having considered this application further in light of the revised documentation submitted, would like to confirm that it continues its objections to this application in its current form.

"The revised layout and the reduction of two dwellings in the southern section of the site has failed to address the council’s concerns over the urban design that is now being proposed."

It had concerns over the number of houses, type of dwellings, play equipment and amenities, landscaping,

Suffolk County Council has no objections subject to conditions and S106 obligations.

It said: “We are satisfied that the previously raised comments regarding footway access, traffic impact and development access and layout have been addressed subject to the following planning conditions and Section 106 contributions.

“Having further discussed and received information from the applicant regarding the outstanding PRoW and school access points comments, we are now also satisfied that these matters can be covered by planning condition and contribution where applicable”.

However, Cllr David Bradbury said in his objection: “The design of this development bears no resemblance to the Thurston local plan with straight rows of houses.

“The land was originally earmarked for education purposes within the village and many within the village, feel it should be used for the benefit of the village, not boost the profits of a large building company.

“Thurston has seen a huge number of houses built within the last four years, however, none of the promised infrastructure improvements have been carried out. There is a serious safety issue at many junctions and the foot crossing at the railway now has over 45,000 crossings a year.

“The existing roads are not suitable for the speed and volume of the traffic. Many parents on the existing Persimmon and Bovis developments are being forced to drive to the primary school on Norton Road due to the dangerous crossroads on Ixworth/Norton Road.”

However, planning officers feel that planning obligations have been met.

The report said: “Taking all these factors into account and after having regards to all material planning considerations the balance of judgement in this case overwhelmingly supports the grant of planning permission where the application is considered to accord with the development plan as a whole.

“No reasonable or sustainable ground/s for refusal can be identified.”

It added: “Rapid residential growth without the necessary infrastructure to support is an issue for communities across the country and not just that in Thurston.

“This application includes a sizeable financial package of mitigation that will support amongst other things the expansion of education provision in the village, community facilities, highway infrastructure, affordable housing, safe routes to school and play facilities.

“The development will also contribute to both District and Neighbourhood CIL funding.”

The application will be discussed by Mid Suffolk District Council's planning committee on Wednesday.