Detailed design of plans for 300 new homes in Woolpit revealed

A detailed design has been revealed incorporating landscaping, scale and layout for the construction of 300 homes in Woolpit.

Also included is the construction of a new spine road between the A14 and The Street, land for a primary school and sports pitches as part of the development off Bury Road.

The plans to create the new homes has been submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council by Bidwells on behalf of their clients developers Hopkins Homes Limited.

The council still has to determine the application but it has already led to a raft of people opposed to the scheme with some saying it is “far too large” and will have a negative impact on the village.

Ken March, who lives in the village, said: “It will occupy an attractive aspect of the landscape and will damage the community spirit by such an overwhelming scale.

“Such a level of development will also overwhelm available services. Furthermore, it is out of line with the carefully and properly constructed Neighbourhood Plan which appears to have been completely ignored and disregarded.

“Development should not be on essential countryside and farmland.

“It is far too large and will negatively impact upon the historic village of Woolpit.”

He said that the village has already had more than its share of development and the community spirit and other issues will be adversely affected if not severely damaged beyond repair.

Other villagers were also critical of the plans.

Richard and Clare Jacobs said her and her husband’s outlook will be harmed while Liz Heath said the scheme represented “a gross over-development which would not only damage the character of our historic village, but also place additional strain on already over-stretched public services, such as the doctor’s surgery and school.”

She also added that there were concerns on the increase in traffic on the narrow roads in Woolpit.

Catherine Rayson said: “I have no objection if the proposed plan was for 50 houses, but 300 is ridiculous.

“Woolpit village currently has two housing developments underway. Both are smaller developments and seem in-keeping with the village by adding housing opportunities but in small parcels.

“The proposed application for adding 300+ homes to the village seems like overkill.”

Kenneth Sibley said: “I cannot imagine how this development was ever even considered as a viable proposition apart from greed and profiteering.”

Helen Utteridge said: “The link road through the proposed new development will become a dangerous ‘rat run’.

And Thomas Bates added: “It is totally out of character in relation to the 12th century village of Woolpit.

“We already have two major housing developments being completed in the village, surely enough is enough?

“This application would mean the loss of a wide farming/countryside view, greatly endanger the wild life of the area and have a huge effect on the centre of the village regarding traffic, which is already a great problem in the central Street area, traffic jams a daily occurrence, bollards on the pavements being hit or completely smashed, and parked vehicles damaged.”