A Suffolk housing development featuring 250 new homes has been given the go-ahead - despite strong reservations because it will have gas central heating.
Councillors at Mid Suffolk Council’s planning committee expressed “disappointment” about carbon emissions and the consideration of future residents who would have to pay for the changeover to electricity themselves.
The development will be built across nine hectares, off Stowupland Road, Stowmarket, and the A54.
The main area of contention was the planned use of gas for energy, rather than air-source heat pumps.
In September, the committee deferred the decision partly on the basis that councillors wanted the inclusion of air-source pumps.
The government has a target for all new heating systems installed in UK homes by 2035 to be low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps, which would rule out gas boilers.
A representative for the applicant, Crest Nicholson, said solar panels had been added to the houses as part of the homes' sustainability.
One of the conditions added to the approved application was that first purchasers are given the option to buy an air-source heat pump – suggested by Crest as a compromise.
Councillor Matthew Hicks echoed many of the comments made by other councillors when he said: “Crest Nicholson is a large, national house builder. It is really disappointing that someone of that size has chosen not to engage with the local community or the town council.
“We were really clear at the last meeting about what we wanted. What is before us is not what’s best for Mid Suffolk or our residents. It is what’s best for Crest Nicholson, no doubt.
“I don’t want to support this at all, if I’m honest. That poses a dilemma because we need to reach a decision based on planning reasons, and we do not have much to turn it down on when it comes to these.
“Planning reasons are the only basis this committee can turn an application down.
“The committee is going to have to make a decision with a heavy heart when we all know it is not what’s best for Mid Suffolk.”
Crest Nicholson’s representatives explained they were following the necessary planning rules and had made amendments based on September’s meeting.
The final vote was carried by four votes to three.
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