Hills Residentials amends East Bergholt housing estate plans

Applicant Hills Residential has lodged amended plans for the land to the east of Constable Country Medical Centre in Heath Road, East Bergholt.

Initially, the applicant sought permission for 75 homes on the land, before this was increased to 108 properties in a new application submitted in May.

However, a total of 99 homes could be built on the estate under revised proposals.

The development is located in Heath Road (Image: Google Maps) Thirty-four affordable properties are included in the new plans lodged with Babergh District Council at the end of last month. 

The main changes relate to the southern area of the western part of the site. 

A planning statement said the applicant has reinstated proposals for a swimming pool to be built alongside a community hub after it was omitted in the first application in May. 

The community hub includes space for a shop, which has been earmarked for the East of England Co-op. Plans by the supermarket chain suggest it will move from its current location in the village, in The Street, to a new site by the end of 2025.

READ MORE: Plans for flag poles advertising new build development objected to

A pre-school and open space for members of the public are also included.

Building works have already started as part of phase one of the development, with the first homes expected to be occupied by autumn 2024. 

A total of 57 comments have been received in response to the plans, 56 of which are objections. 

One resident said: "This is overdevelopment. There are a vast number of new houses being built in the village with no plans for increasing capacity at the primary or high schools, which are already oversubscribed."

Another objection read: "I completely object to these plans.

"This is not in keeping with this beautiful village or the surrounding area."