IPSWICH: Proposals to build about 50 homes on the site of the former Suffolk fire headquarters in Colchester Road are not expected to face major opposition over the next few months.

Most people living in the area had said they wanted homes to be built on the site – and were opposed to the idea of a supermarket.

At one stage there were rumours that Tesco wanted to build there, which sparked a campaign against it, but eventually it emerged that it was Marks & Spencer which had wanted to build a food store. That application was not progressed because the borough had produced planning guidance saying only homes could be built.

Now Hopkins Homes has agreed to buy the four-acre site for a development of traditionally-built houses.

Assistant fire chief Mark Sanderson said: “This is still fairly early days. An agreement has only just been reached with the county and our agents Savills.

“It does involve a 100 per cent residential development on the site.”

County and borough councillor for Rushmere Judy Terry said that while the proposals were at an early stage, she expected most local people to support them.

“There have been some consultation meetings and I think generally people support what is being proposed.”

Hopkins Homes is expected to draw up detailed plans over the next few months and lodge a formal planning application with the borough council.

n Is the proposal good for Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk