Plans for 185 homes in Oulton, near Lowestoft, recommended for approval despite concerns

Plans for 185 homes in a village have been recommended for approval despite concerns from residents.

They were submitted by WM Tubby Limited and are due to be discussed by members of East Suffolk’s planning committee next Tuesday, November 12.

If green-lit, the proposals would see up to 185 homes, 20 per cent of which would be affordable, built on land to the north of Hall Lane, in Oulton.

The developer is proposing a phased scheme, with the discussion split into a full application of 26 homes fronting Hall Lane, and an outline element including up to 159 homes and a pre-school site if required.

This means details relating to appearance, layout, landscaping, and scale, of the development’s second part would be discussed and nailed down at a later date.

Public open space, infrastructure, and new pedestrian and vehicular access are also being proposed as part of the application.

There have been, however, several concerns raised, with 41 letters submitted to the district council, as well as formal objections from Oulton Parish Council and neighbouring Lowestoft and Flixton (east) parish councils.

Issues raised included overdevelopment, the loss of greenfield land, noise, and highway safety.

One resident said: “The traffic currently on Oulton Street and through the village, has become appalling. We live in Oulton Street and have been to many parish meetings regarding the traffic that has been increasing day by day.

“To have another housing estate built near here would increase the traffic enormously (not to mention any guests they will have visiting), on an already stretched area.”

Another described the existing road system as a ‘race track’.

As part of the plans, the developer is predicting an additional 139 two-way vehicle movements during the morning peak hour, equivalent to two cars extra every minute.

On the parish council’s side, the objection focused on the plans to use up a paddock field outside the residential allocation.

Its representation stated: “We have no objections to the original 6.3 hectares, but we strongly object to the land grab of an important paddock that forms part of the green corridor which creates a break for the wildlife and biodiversity of Oulton.”

If approved, the company would also have to pay just over £2.25 million in developer contributions which would be used for education, library, waste, and highways infrastructure.

The plans also make way for a total of 455 car parking spaces, of which 306 would be long-stay bays and 49 would be for blue badge holders.

The officer’s report due to be presented to councillors next week states the ‘moderate weightings of harm’ brought on by the application were outweighed by the benefits of the scheme, particularly in terms of affordable housing and early years provision.

It states: “It is acknowledged that the proposal is not supported by some local residents and Parish Councils.

“Those concerns raised have been given due consideration by officers but do not, in the balance, indicate that planning permission should be refused.

“Many of the matters raised can be addressed either through appropriate planning conditions or proper consideration of detailed design at reserved matters stage(s).”

Officers are recommending the plans for approval subject to conditions, one of which requires the developer to include early years provision.