Masterplan for 350 homes, a school, parks and employment areas for Chantry Vale on the southern fringe of Ipswich are resurrected

National housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is resurrecting plans for a major housing development on the southern fringe of Ipswich.

The land is at Chantry Vale in the vicinity of Chantry Park.

The company is inviting people in Ipswich to have their say on these new plans for a new mixed-use development.

The move comes at a time when there is controversy over plans for the northern fringe – or the Ipswich Garden Suburb – providing new housing development on the area between Henley Road and Westerfield Road on the other side of town.

All political parties recognise there is a need for more homes to be built in the town and this government has pledged to support and encourage house building, and especially help first-time buyers get on the housing ladder.

The planning environment has changed since development of the area was rejected after a public enquiry by the then government in the 1980s.

The emerging proposals will be revealed in a public exhibition, at the Holiday Inn, London Road, on January 6.

David Ellesmere, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “There is a need for more housing in the Ipswich area and obviously this is one of those sites that need to be looked at.

“We will obviously have to see the full details of the plans. Our principal focus is developments which fall within the borough, and the northern fringe.”

Together with Building Partnerships, Taylor Wimpey is currently drawing up a masterplan for a development of approximately 350 homes, six hectares of employment land, a new school and public open space on the land at Chantry Vale.

Following the public consultation, a planning application will be prepared for submission to Babergh District Council later in the year.

Hannah Pattinson, strategic land project manager for Taylor Wimpey, said: “We are confident that this scheme will provide an attractive and sustainable development of high-quality homes to meet a range of requirements – including affordable properties for local people in housing need – along with employment opportunities, open space and a new school.”

The proposed development site is located to the north of the A1214 London Road, to the east of the A14 and south of the A1071, with Poplar Lane bisecting the site from east to west.

It is already allocated for mixed-use development in Babergh District Council’s Core Strategy and Policies document, which sets out the council’s plans for the strategic growth of the local area up to 2031.

Those who are unable to attend will be able to access the information displayed at the event online at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/chantry-vale from Tuesday, January 6, 2015 onwards.