Part of a northern bypass for Ipswich could be built earlier than planned as part of the deal to allow thousands of new homes to be built.
A new road from the A14 Claydon junction could be included as part of the overall masterplan for new homes to the north of Ipswich.
The first planning application for the Ipswich Garden Suburb is due to be discussed by members of the borough’s planning and development committee next month.
Pressure is mounting for a new road from the A14 to Henley Road which could ultimately be absorbed into a northern bypass for the town. Such a road would enable traffic from the 3,500 homes on the garden suburb (or northern fringe) to reach the A14 without adding to congestion on Valley Road and Norwich Road.
As well as easing pressure on existing roads in Ipswich, the new road would also improve access to other potential new housing land between Ipswich and Claydon.
Planning officers at Mid Suffolk Council have been talking to a developer who is drawing up an application to build about 300 new homes on land off Old Norwich Road beyond the Anglia Retail Park.
And a new road across the north of the town could free up more land for development to the north-west of Whitton sports centre.
The first full planning application for the Ipswich Garden Suburb is due to be discussed by the borough’s planning and development committee on February 8 – the Crest Nicholson application for the Henley Gate development between the East Suffolk Railway line and Lower Road, Westerfield.
The new road does not feature as part of this application for an area that could eventually have up to 1,100 new homes, a country park and community facilities including a new primary school.
However, it is thought that developers could be asked to make a contribution towards the road as more homes are built.
Both the borough and county councils describe suggestions that a new road could be required as “speculation”.
The county’s cabinet member for transport James Finch said: “We are still going through the consultation process and there are three possible routes under consideration.
“Nothing has been decided at this stage.”
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