Former bus depot in Bures St Mary, near Sudbury, to be turned into homes following Babergh District Council planning approval
A village's former bus depot will be turned into homes following planning approval.
Babergh's planning committee members discussed plans to build a commercial unit alongside 14 new apartments and houses in Church Square, Bures St Mary, near Sudbury.
The Rosper Estates bid included the substantial demolition of the former Chambers bus depot, the total demolition of outbuildings and in-filling of former vehicle inspection pits.
The new plans followed a 2022 approved bid for a local convenience store and 10 new homes, since deemed unviable.
Sam Brown, the agent, said the national retailer meant to take over the convenience store dropped its plans during the final stages.
The lost income from the change of plans meant the company could no longer pay for the considerable cost of the site's demolition and decontamination works.
The new plans would ensure the development's delivery and enhance the centre of Bures for the future by transforming a site which, Mr Brown said, was 'looking very tired and unloved'.
Prompted by Cllr Peter Beer on how long it would take for works to start to avoid plans having to change again, Mr Brown said they were expected to begin in mid to late summer.
Bures St Mary Parish Council said it supported the plans and the transformation of the site, but expressed disappointment at changes made to the new building's proposed appearance over the application's life.
Cllr Isabelle Reece, the ward member, supported the plans despite some problems with parking and contamination.
She said: "It isn't a perfect project, but we mustn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good in this case."
Councillors decided to approve the plans unanimously subject to conditions.
This means the company will have to pay £157,955 in statutory developers' contributions meant for school provision, transport and library improvements.
A further £246,792 was requested by the council's strategic housing team to offset against the lack of affordable housing, but a viability assessment exempted the applicant from the contribution as it would make the development unviable.
