MP and East Suffolk councillors say North Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood needs to go ahead, as residents raise concerns

An MP and councillors said a controversial housing development needs to go ahead as residents raised their concerns.

However, Felixstowe Town Council has called for a pause on the 2,000-home development, citing concerns over the town’s housing needs and secondary school capacity.

The North Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood would be built north of the town to Trimley St Mary over 10-15 years and increase the population by about 10,000.

East Suffolk Council, which is leading the project masterplan, aims to submit an outline planning application in early 2025.

The scheme would include a new £25 million leisure centre, primary school and community hub.

However, the plans have attracted criticism from town councillors and residents.

During a town council meeting on Wednesday, councillors who spent nearly 90 minutes discussing the scheme called for a revaluation as they feel circumstances have changed since the site was allocated in 2020.

Cllr Mike Deacon said: “Our nation has a housing crisis and Felixstowe is not exempt.

“My question is: Do we really need this volume of housing?”

The council submitted the statement to ESC yesterday and, along with calls to reassess the town’s housing needs, outlined key priorities – including leisure facilities, green spaces, allotments, infrastructure and education – for ESC to consider if plans progress.

Within these areas, it asked for improvements to medical services, increased dental care capacity and upgrades to library services.

It also asked for improvements to public footpaths, cycleways and bus routes.

One of its top priorities was investment in education.

Similar proposals and concerns were voiced by residents during a consultation at Felixstowe School yesterday evening.

The event, organised by ESC, provided residents with another opportunity to question councillors.

Among the 160 residents who attended were Marion Birch and Catrione Whitton, who feel ESC is not taking their concerns on board.

Ms Birch said: “My main concern is the lack of consultation, but also the proposals were initiated during covid, which was four years ago and a lot has happened since then.

“They need to call for a pause and a review.”

Ms Birch was also worried about the loss of open space, including Eastward Ho – a concern shared by Robert Allerton.

He said: “They’re proposing to build on the largest open green space in the town, which is highly unacceptable.

“They’re rushing over this thinking we will let it go. There isn’t a need for housing in Felixstowe, the jobs are not there – our workforce is shrinking.”

Concerns over the green space at Eastward Ho, including the playing fields and the Grove Woodlands, led to the launch of a petition earlier this year.

Responding to concerns, Cllr David Beavan said: “When I say there won’t be any houses built on Eastward Ho, I mean the playing fields.

“I don’t see the need for housing there. If there is a need for a school, there is a possibility the playing field will be used.”

Questions put forward to the panelists, which included Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, Suffolk Coastal MP, covered issues including housing need, infrastructure and the opportunity for the project to be changed or influenced.

Cllr Caroline Topping, leader of ESC, and Ms Riddell-Carpenter, said the council had taken concerns on board but highlighted the need for housing.

“This development, even if it gets kicked out, will be going ahead because of the housing need,” said Ms Riddell-Carpenter.

“If we don’t have the council acting as a custodian, the plans that get put forward will be far worse.

“The consultation and engagement process we are going through now is much more thorough and it means we can tweak things based on feedback.”