Deal close to create homes and generate income for council services

A deal that will see much-needed homes delivered in Great Barton and generate income to pay for council services, is nearing completion.

West Suffolk Council is set to complete the acquisition of part of The Triangle site, between School Road, Mill Road and the A143, from Suffolk County Council next month, having already exchanged contracts.

The purchase also gives West Suffolk first option on the remainder of The Triangle site, which is 10.5 hectares and could also be used to deliver housing.

The acquired site is already allocated for around 40 homes in the current St Edmundsbury Borough Council Local Plan while the Great Barton Neighbourhood Plan establishes the principle of building new homes on the larger site.

West Suffolk is working with the parish council and county council on a development brief which will cover both parts of The Triangle site including looking at what community infrastructure will be required. This will indicate how many homes are to be built. Once this is completed, West Suffolk will sell the site to its housing company Barley Homes (Group) Ltd to build the development including affordable housing.

The development once completed and sold, will generate income to help pay towards council services. Approximately 10 per cent of the council tax bill comes to West Suffolk Council and council tax only represents a fifth of the income the Council requires to deliver services.

Great Barton Parish Council, said: “Great Barton Parish Council and its Neighbourhood Plan Working Group through many consultations with its residents identified The Triangle site as the appropriate area for development.

“There has been a long association with Suffolk County Council (SCC) as the landowner to ensure the development complements the built character and environmental richness seen in other areas of the parish.

“With West Suffolk Council alongside SCC actively working with Great Barton Parish Council we should be able to develop The Triangle to the objectives identified in the Neighbourhood Plan.

“This development has the potential for greater housing opportunities, increased leisure facilities not seen in Great Barton for a long time and the development of our schools for an expanding population.”