ENVIRONMENTALISTS fighting against the possible development of a "green oasis" near the centre of Ipswich are taking their battle direct to the government.
By Paul Geater
ENVIRONMENTALISTS fighting against the possible development of a "green oasis" near the centre of Ipswich are taking their battle direct to the government.
Members of SOLE – Save Our Local Environment – have asked the government's office of the Eastern Region (GO-East) to "call in" plans for 154 homes on the site of the Hayhill Road allotments.
They have been fighting proposals to build new homes on the land between the Old Cemetery, the Felixstowe rail line, and Woodbridge Road since they were first proposed in the local plan three years ago.
A planning application from developers Orchard Holdings plc had been due to be considered by Ipswich Council's development control committee today.
However that application was deferred until a later date, until details about drainage on the site are resolved.
Sue James from SOLE said members of her group were now hoping that the decision on the development would be taken away from Ipswich.
"The government office has asked for details of all stages of the planning application, and we hope they call it in and then throw out the proposal," she said.
The group was hoping to hear from GO-East about its attitude to the application within the next few days.
Ipswich council's head of development control Mike Smith said he had not heard from GO-East, and would not expect the proposal to be called in.
"The application is in accordance with the local plan and I would expect the government office to have better things to do than call in proposals which are in accordance with the local plan," he said.
Members of the development control committee were today being advised to reject plans to build 20 flats on land behind Rosehill Crescent.
Local residents protested against the plans from developers the Woodberry Group Ltd, and their objections are being backed up by planning officers who are recommending councillors to throw out the application.
They say it is contrary to the local plan, it would damage woodland, there is no need for it, and the access would be unacceptable.
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