The Triangle, on edge of Great Barton, near Bury St Edmunds, 191-home and school expansion plans take important step but concerns voiced on ‘little benefit’ to village

An important step has been taken for the future of a 191-home and school expansion but concerns remained about ‘little benefit’ to a village.

Members of West Suffolk’s cabinet met yesterday evening to discuss plans for a blueprint outlining the future of a 12.81-hectare side known as The Triangle, on the edge of Great Barton.

The final version of the development brief outlined a vision for between 185 and 191 homes to be built, 30 per cent of which affordable, with a first phase delivering 40 houses on a patch of land along School Road and bounded by Mill Road (B1106) and The Street (A143).

The document also included a 1.1-hectare expansion of Great Barton Primary School alongside a new pupil drop-off and pick-up facility.

However, residents who spoke during the meetings argued the document ignored the town’s neighbourhood plan which originally suggested 150 homes should be built.

Elaine Read, a resident of Great Barton, raised this issue alongside concerns the school hadn’t been consulted and that access from Mill Road would worsen an ‘already hazard area’.

She said: “The village was enthusiastic about this development within our neighbourhood plan expecting benefits for all. That goodwill has now been eroded.

“This is a one-sided proposal with very little benefit, if any, to Great Barton.”

Representing the village, Cllr Sarah Broughton, also said she was very concerned the document was too vague and the neighbourhood plan was ‘ignored and cherry-picked’.

Addressing these concerns, the council’s lead for planning, Cllr Jim Thorndyke, said it was disappointing to hear the residents’ views but clarified the document was ‘not casting anything in concrete’.

He said: “Clearly there is a lot of work to be resolved before we get to the planning application — I shall be endeavouring to get rid of the problems before we get [it] to committee.

‘I have got to get off my backside and do a lot of talking with Great Barton.’

Cllr Thorndyke also confirmed he would meet with the school to discuss concerns over parking.

In terms of other infrastructure, officers have set aside 1.71 hectares for the community as well as a further plot for a community building which could be delivered through other funding in the future.

Play areas and open spaces are also part of the proposals.

Although the document makes several suggestions as to what the council wants to see delivered, it will still be up to the developer to ensure the viability of the proposals and to prove it before planning permission is granted.

Cllr O’Driscoll, who seconded the proposals, said it was essential for the work to move forward but promised there would be further discussion.

He added: “This is a design brief, it is not a planning application, it sets out a broad blueprint for the site — there will be opportunities for discussion around the concerns that have been raised.”

Alongside the proposals within the brief were also several additions as a result of community feedback, including an expectation the 30mph limit currently in place in Mill Road would be extended while the section of the road still at national speed limit would be changed to 40mph.

The housing mix should also be made up of homes between one and three bedrooms to encourage families to move into the village.