A step forward in a major Suffolk development was taken today as councillors approved details for 242 homes, amid worries about lack of bungalows and dust from building work.
A reserved matters application setting out plans for the second phase of Sudbury’s Chilton Woods development was approved unanimously by Babergh District Council’s planning committee.
The homes will be built in the southern section of the overall site, which is located to the north of Woodhall Business Park.
Outline planning permission for the entire development of 1,150 homes was granted in 2018 and work on the first phase of 200 units has been taking place this year.
The planning manager for applicant Taylor Wimpey said: “We are absolutely committed to delivering this site and doing a good job of it.
"This application has been developed in close consultation with council officers, Suffolk County Council highways, a working group, and drainage, landscape and ecology officers.
“These houses will not have gas boilers. It’s our intention to supply the heat using what is effectively a large air source heat pump.
“We are making very good progress with phase one, and we have 20 people scheduled to move in in December.
“We have been doing our best to be good neighbours on-site at Chilton Woods.
“It has been a challenging summer – it was very dry so we did have issues with dust. We had the environmental health officer down on site and they were very happy we were doing everything we can to control that.”
Of the 242 homes, three will be wheelchair-friendly and 30% will be affordable – made up of 36 affordable rent apartments, 18 affordable rent houses and 18 shared ownership houses.
In a statement read out at the meeting, councillor Jan Osborne, who represents Sudbury North West, said: “I am pleased to see this site will provide 30% affordable housing.
“I support this application but I do have some areas of concern. I would have liked to have seen more bungalows, as there is a need for those wishing to live independently and those with a disability.”
Taylor Wimpey’s planning manager said the company’s experience suggests a lack of demand for bungalows, as it struggles to sell them.
The applicant has stated intentions to include bungalows within the overall development; councillors asked officers to ensure it is reminded of this in later phases.
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