Plans for nearly 300 homes in Fonnereau and Henley Gate neighbourhoods, in Ipswich, approved

Close to 300 homes have been approved in a Suffolk town as part of a major housing development.

Members of Ipswich’s planning committee met on Wednesday to discuss two separate reserved matters applications, submitted by Bellway Homes and Barratt David Wilson, totalling 291 homes as part of the borough’s Garden Suburb project phasing.

The project includes Fonnereau and Henley Gate neighbourhoods, with councillors unanimously approving 198 and 93 homes for these respectively — the project’s total housing delivery will be 3,500 new homes.

Both developments will be mainly made up of three-bedroom houses, and will also include 22 affordable homes.

The Fonnereau application also included plans for an electricity substation.

Although councillors were happy with the application, they shared their concerns about the two bridges proposed to connect both developments.

The bridges, one for vehicles and one for cycles and pedestrians were meant to open at the end of March but were delayed due to the constant use of a rail line below.

As part of the approval conditions for both developments, the bridges must be open for pedestrians and cyclists by the time of the 700th occupation.

The Garden Suburb project also includes plans for public open space, a country park, a district centre, local centres, a secondary school, and three primary schools.