Court challenge due over 1,000 homes bid

DEVELOPERS whose plans to build more than 1,000 homes just outside Ipswich were rejected are today launching a high court challenge.

JG Land and Estates wanted to develop a new community called Broadmeadow at the former Sproughton British Sugar site between the river Gipping and Sproughton Road.

But in October a planning inspector recommended the plans be refused because the site had been allocated for employment opportunities by Babergh District Council. His decision was upheld by Hazel Blears, the secretary of state for Communities and Local Government.

Today JG Land and Estates announced its intention to challenge that decision at the High Court.

John Jowitt, the company's planning director, said: “We have decided to challenge the decision of the secretary of state to dismiss our appeal, as a rigorous review by our legal and professional team has shone no light on how she came to her decision to refuse this application based upon her reasoning.

“The report issued with the decision is, in fact, very supportive of the potential for a mixed-use development on the site.

“The secretary of state concludes that the appeal proposal has the potential of securing a major contribution towards an 'urban renaissance' in this part of the Ipswich urban area.

“She states that the proposed housing provision would significantly contribute to the region's housing requirement on this large brownfield site and the affordable housing provision would help to meet an identified need.

“We are very encouraged by the continued level of public support we have been receiving for our proposals for Broadmeadow and we will continue to seek to work with both Babergh District Council and Ipswich Borough Council and their residents, in order to achieve a sustainable future for this site.”