Bungalows set to be built on land fronting Seven Gardens Road in Burgh

Three bungalows are set to be built in a Suffolk village, despite the local parish council arguing it will result in loss of farmland and countryside.

East Suffolk Council’s planning committee approved an application for the houses and their garages on land fronting Seven Gardens Road, Burgh – northeast of Ipswich – today.

The decision came despite a statement from Burgh Parish Meeting describing the development as ‘too great an increase in dwellings in a small hamlet’ and opposing the loss of countryside land.

Cllr Colin Hedgley agreed with the parish, stating at today’s meeting: ‘I do not believe plonking three bungalows on the land improves the beauty of the countryside.”

However, more councillors were on the side of Cllr Daly, who said in support of the proposal: “There’s not much there of ecological value.

“I think from a biodiversity point of view, it’s a plus. Three bungalows with back gardens will be an improvement on what’s there already.”

The site is in the countryside according to the area’s local plan, though officers consider the proposed homes to be classed as part of a ‘cluster’, as there are more than five nearby.

The officer’s report, brought to councillors, also suggested that the one-storey homes would fit in well with the other houses, as these have ‘similar heights and appearance’.

A reference to ‘limited onsite ecological habitat’ is also made in the report, although the applicant will be asked for £321.22 per dwelling to help mitigate against any potential negative impacts on ecology. This is mainly due to the fact that the application area is within a 13km protection zone of a European Designated Site.