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Sudbury’s Perrywood Garden Centre gets expansion back on track after revised plans approved




A Sudbury garden centre expansion is back on track, after amended plans to make the development more feasible were approved.

Babergh District Council granted formal permission on Monday to a revised proposal by Perrywood Garden Centre, allowing its stalled expansion in Newton Road to be revived.

The business had previously received the green-light in 2021, for a new garden centre building – including a restaurant and an outdoor sales area – plus a glasshouse and store.

Perrywood Garden Centre, in Newton Road, near Sudbury, has lodged revised plans with Babergh District Council to revamp its premises. Picture: Google Maps
Perrywood Garden Centre, in Newton Road, near Sudbury, has lodged revised plans with Babergh District Council to revamp its premises. Picture: Google Maps

However, the scheme was shelved the following year, after Perrywood deemed it was no longer financially viable in its current form, amid spiraling costs.

To address these issues, the firm submitted a fresh application last December, dividing the scheme into three distinct phases – each of which could operate on its own upon completion.

A planning statement on behalf of Perrywood said: “The requested amendments are required in order for the the proposals to progress, and for the improvement of the garden centre to be realised.

“The economic situation since the original consent has frustrated the proposals, and a number of amendments have been sought since.”

The revisions have also garnered the backing of Sudbury Town Council, as well as the parish councils of Great Cornard, Chilton and Newton.

In a report recommending the new plans for approval, Babergh planning officer Samantha Summers said the three-phase approach maintained the original intentions of the plans that were green-lit three years ago.

“This condition will allow the development to be built in a phased approach of three manageable projects rather than a one build-out period,” the report reads.

“The intention is that each phase will be able to operate once constructed, without the need for the next stage to be delivered.

“This will allow the business to begin operations from an early stage of development and begin obtaining a financial return.

“This will help finance the subsequent phases and improve the facilities.”