An ambitious bid to build more than 1,000 new homes in an “emerging masterplan” for a Suffolk town is set to reach a major milestone early next year.
The Beccles and Worlingham Garden Neighbourhood plan looks set to build 1,250 new properties on the southern edge of Beccles and southwest of Worlingham, running adjacent to the A145 and Ellough Road.
The site - measuring around 221.9 acres (89.80ha) - was allocated for a comprehensive mixed-use development in the Waveney Local Plan, which was adopted in March 2019.
With Larkfleet Group Ltd, Beccles Townlands Trust and Chenery’s Farm Partnership "working together to bring forward a masterplan for the garden neighbourhood," a consultation document says that a "target planning application submission" will be made in the first quarter of 2025.
Beccles' population was 10,100 in the 2011 census and if each of the new homes had two occupants it would mean the town's population would increase by a quarter.
The new homes will include a mix of house types and retirement living units.
The plan also sets out to include new facilities such as a convenience store, a community centre, and new shops.
New community amenities including sport pitches, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, and play areas.
Proposals also include "In excess of 25 hectares (61.7 acres) of accessible public open space, including circular walking routes and community allotments" along with 12.4 acres of designated employment space.
It also earmarks a new two-form entry primary school and a pre-school setting.
The masterplan vision says: “We want to create a diverse, residential-led garden neighbourhood which carefully integrates into its surroundings and enables the growth of a health community.
“There will be a focus on providing green links and retaining the site’s natural features, and creating safe, well overlooked and tree-lined streets, spaces and places, as well as supporting biodiversity net gain and habitat creation.”
It adds, there will be “well-designed green links for pedestrians and cyclists that connect with surrounding footpath and cycle networks”.
People of Worlingham and Beccles had a chance to voice their opinions as pop-up stalls were held at Beccles Friday Market and Worlingham Village Fete earlier this month.
A spokesman said: "Further public consultation will take place towards the end of the year".
For any queries, you can contact the communications team at pging@conciliocomms.com
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