Plans approved for 59 zero-carbon ready homes in Thurston

An application from Persimmon Homes Suffolk to build 59 zero-carbon ready homes in Thurston has been approved by Mid Suffolk District Council’s planning committee.

The Hakewill Mews development, in Ixworth Road, will include 20 homes for those in housing need locally, with contributions to education, community facilities, and highway improvements at the Bunbury Arms junction totalling more than £800,000.

The development will sit next to College Park, where Persimmon Homes previously built 248 homes.

The land was reserved for potential education use and while Thurston Community College is planning to build sports pitches to the south, the northern portion was deemed surplus to requirements.

Persimmon Homes will be building a range of one to five-bedroom homes, including bungalows, maisonettes and larger five-bedroom detached properties.

The new homes will be zero-carbon ready and will all be fitted with an EV charging point and air source heat pumps throughout.

As well as offering energy efficiency, this development will also be highly sustainable.

Persimmon will be installing a bird-nesting brick or box for every home built, as well as creating hedgehog highways throughout the development.

More than a third of the site has been retained as open space, with part of it seeded as wildflower meadow to increase biodiversity.

Pedestrian links and upgraded cycle paths will be incorporated within the scheme and will lead through to College Park to promote active travel while the circular walk routes will encourage physical exercise. 

As part of the application, it has been agreed to implement a speed reduction on Ixworth Road, which was welcomed by members of the planning committee.

Ian Hamilton, managing director for Persimmon Homes Suffolk, welcomed the news and said: “We are proud of our design for this new development and are delighted to see planning permission approved after working with members and officers at Mid Suffolk District Council over the past year to finalise the layout and design.

“We look forward to bringing these homes to the market and providing homes to those families in need locally.”

Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme has donated over £5 million since 2015 to local charities, sports clubs and good causes in the areas we work.

Persimmon Homes Suffolk donated £2,000 to 863 (Thurston) Squadron Air Training Corps during the latest round of funding, and with the support of their contractors helped Thurston Community College with decorating their student leadership hub.