TOWN chiefs are today preparing to discuss a controversial housing bid which could see more than 1,000 homes built on Ipswich's Northern Fringe.

TOWN chiefs are today preparing to discuss a controversial housing bid which could see more than 1,000 homes built on Ipswich's Northern Fringe.

Faced with these proposals, tonight's meeting of the borough executive is expected to ratify a long-term strategy for the northern fringe which could result eventually in 5,896 homes between Henley Road and Westerfield Road.

Mersea Homes has now submitted an outline application for up to 1,085 homes, a primary school and a neighbourhood centre including commercial, community and health care facilities, on land south of the railway and west of Westerfield Road.

This is the second bid for new homes in the area, following closely on Ipswich School's decision to seek the go-ahead for a 320 home development on its playing fields north of Valley Road.

Richard Atkins, the executive member for economic development, said the aim was to establish a cohesive policy for the area.

He said: “We want to direct the development rather than the council being directed by the developers.

“If we don't approve a framework, we could end up with several different housing developments, with a hotch potch of styles.

Under the Government approved East of England development plan, the six counties in the region have to find land for 508,000 homes between now and 2021.

Ipswich has been designated a growth area, one of the districts which must share the burden of this new development.

The northern fringe is divided between eight development sites around Thurleston Lane, Humber Doucy Lane, both sides of the railway line, north of the millennium cemetery, and between Westerfield Road, Henley Road, and Valley Road.

n. Should this many homes be planned for the area? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or have your say at www.eveningstar.co.uk