Eye resident, Pinky Palmer, says new Castleton Grange homes will ruin her quality of life

A Suffolk resident living in a quiet cul-de-sac fears her privacy is under threat by a batch of new homes being built on land at the end of her garden.

Pinky Palmer, who has lived in the same house on Victoria Hill in Eye since 2010, is concerned that the second phase of Castleton Grange will change her way of life.

The development, which is being built by Persimmon Homes on land south of Eye Airfield and north of Castleton Way, could see a further 127 properties built, including 25 affordable homes, with a mix of bungalows and houses.

Mrs Palmer said: “In phase one, they released a map and the ones nearest to me were going to be bungalows, but then, in phase two, they were upped to two-storey houses.

“That is absolutely ridiculous as not only will it block out a lot of light into my garden, but it will also give me no privacy.

“My garden is very narrow and it means I will be overlooked.”

The homeowner said she had spoken to Eye Town Council, which is sympathetic to her concerns. She has also taken pictures and sent them to Mid Suffolk District Council’s planning department.

“The town council told me the two-storey houses would be on an angle, but people will still be able to see into my garden,” she said.

“My neighbours also have concerns about the development and how it will affect our way of life. For example, we suffer from drainage issues in this cul-de-sac and that is only going to get worse with additional homes being so close.”

With a consultation into the development’s second phase due to finish today, Mrs Palmer hopes that common sense will prevail.

She said: “I am no spring chicken, but I would like to go out in my garden and have as much freedom as I possibly can, without wondering who can see me.

“It is not that I did not know this development was happening – more the fact that the details have changed. Bungalows I could cope with, but this will be too much.”

The first phase of the development was given the go ahead in 2022, with building work commencing at the end of the year.

An application for the second phase, detailing its design and layout, is due to go before the planning authority before the summer.

A spokesman for the district council said that the latest planning application was still at the consultation stage, meaning it was not too late for residents’ voices to be heard.

“As the planning authority, we consider all applications fairly and transparently, seeking feedback from local residents and statutory bodies before decisions are made,” they added.

“Ultimately, planning decisions must be made in line with national and local policies, but we will always work to find the best possible outcome for our communities.

“This could be through our officers working with developers to encourage them to amend their plans where required, or through conditions being attached to planning permissions to limit the impact of new developments on their neighbours and environment.”

The council spokesman added that they expect the planning application to go before its committee within the next two to three months.