Red Lodge councillor slams new 300-home plans for area

Plans for the construction of 300 homes on land North of Acorn Way in Red Lodge, near Mildenhall, along with a new local centre, which may include retail and public open spaces, have been received by West Suffolk Council.

But Cllr Dawn Dicker, who represents the Iceni ward on the council, has said she believes Red Lodge has taken a bigger share of the housing requirements in the district than other areas, leaving residents fed up. 

Plans to build 300 homes in Red Lodge have been submitted (Image: Google maps)

"I have believed that for a long time Red lodge has taken excessive amounts of housing, a far bigger share of the districts requirements, whereas large towns like Newmarket have virtually been left alone," said Cllr Dicker. 

"The planned infrastructure to mitigate the huge housing growth in Red lodge has always been very slow to materialise.

"Many residents tell me they are fed up with poor parking provision, a lack of reliable public transportation and inadequate doctors and dentist provision.

"Despite being against this further growth I do of course hope that the developer contributing requirements speedily come to fruition," she added. 

Cllr Dawn Dicker (Image: West Suffolk Council)

According to the design and access statement that has been submitted as part of the new application, the development will provide up to 300 "high quality" homes of mixed tenure together with a new local centre hub for the area. 

An area of eight hectares has been earmarked for employment to include a wide range of jobs within walking distance to residents.  

The design and access statement continued: "The new primary school known as The Pines, has already been provided and opened in September 2018.

"The proposals set aside an area adjacent to the school for expansion to meet local need in the future."

Last year, an application to build 141 homes on the site immediately adjacent to the Kings Warren housing development was approved by West Suffolk Council.