Last phase of major 265-home development at Eye Airfield unanimously backed by Mid Suffolk District Council

The last phase of a major 265-home development at a former airfield has been unanimously backed.

Earlier today, planning committee members in Mid Suffolk discussed plans submitted by Persimmon Homes for the second and final phase of a 265-home development, 53 of which affordable, on land south of Eye Airfield.

The council granted outline planning consent for the whole project in 2018 for up to 280 homes, before giving reserved matters permission for its first phase in 2022.

Discussion on the scheme's second phase reserved matters focused on the scheme's appearance, landscaping, layout and scale after it was deferred by councillors in April so amendments could be made.

Cllr Lucy Elkin, ward member for the area, said although the changes were welcome, several concerns remained about the housing mix and parking arrangements.

The amendments included changes to the design, the materials, the layout, the scale of two plots and the number of street trees.

Christopher Smith, senior planner at Persimmon, said the company believed the development was of a high quality following the changes.

Officers have said the concerns had been adequately addressed and recommended the plans for approval.

A single objection was received for the latest plans, citing concerns over a lack of community consultation and overdevelopment, adding to the 55 the council received after the initial submission.

Cllr Lavinia Hadingham said, although the project was not perfect, recognising local concerns, the improvements meant the decision could not reasonably be pushed back further.

When voting, councillors decided to unanimously back the officer's approval recommendation, subject to conditions, including two extra requirements for homes to be future-proofed for the installation of solar panels, and accessibility to the north of the site.