PREPARATIONS are under way today for an inquiry which few of the parties involved actually want to see happen.After Ipswich Borough Council rejected Crest Nicholson's application to build 372 homes on the site of the old Hayhill Road the developers asked for a public inquiry into the decision.

PREPARATIONS are under way today for an inquiry which few of the parties involved actually want to see happen.

After Ipswich Borough Council rejected Crest Nicholson's application to build 372 homes on the site of the old Hayhill Road the developers asked for a public inquiry into the decision.

In the meantime outline planning permission was granted by the council's planning committee for the company to build 340 homes on the same site - an application many residents still opposed.

However because planning permission for the smaller number of homes has not yet been formally confirmed the inquiry for the first application is still scheduled to begin on June 26.

James Moody from Crest Nicholson said: “We launched the appeal in December last year against the initial refusal.

“The appeal is in relation to a number of issues which will be decided with a public inquiry.

“We're hoping it (planning permission for 340 homes) will happen and we are working very closely with the borough.

“Once we have that we will be able to review our appeal.

“We're all hoping the inquiry doesn't happen. Appeals cost a huge amount in expenses and time, which both parties can ill afford.”

Meanwhile Ipswich Borough Council has already started organising its case for the appeal although a spokesman said only minimal resources had been directed to the preparations so far.

Suzanne Speight from the Hayhill Action Group, which has opposed both of Crest Nicholson's applications for the site, said she thought the company should withdraw its demand for an inquiry and added: “It's just extra pressure on the council because this is hanging over them.”

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