Homes behind Six Bells in Felsham recommended for refusal

CPC LTD, on behalf of Cordage 44 Limited, sought permission to construct the homes behind The Six Bells in Felsham, near Bury St Edmunds, in November. 

It was the seventh application for homes to be built on the unused land, and the fifth submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council since 2020. 

The Six Bells pub in Felsham (Image: Google Maps)

The plans have now been recommended for refusal by the chief planning officer due to the harm it would have on the existing space and the village.

A committee report said: "The proposal would noticeably introduce a significant bulk of compact modern development into this current undeveloped area of important visual space, being significantly harmful to its existing character and quality and positive contribution to the existing built environment of the village.

"The proposal would also result in an overall basic, bulky and cramped appearance which would conflict with the spaciously arranged variation of traditional buildings within the locality."

Forty comments had been received as part of the application, 38 of which are objections. 

Objections include concerns surrounding access to the site, the effect on heritage assets, impact on neighbours and loss of space in the pub car park. 

Nick Panayi, who has lived in Felsham for 27 years, has said the proposed access would pose a serious danger

"That access is on the only road that runs through the village. It is a very busy road," he said.

"The access itself is on a bend, there is not enough visibility to see traffic coming from the east side.

"There is no doubt to me that somebody will get seriously injured if this goes ahead." 

A spokesperson for Cordage 44 Limited said the access is currently used by the Six Bells public house and has no record of accidents.