MAJOR changes were today announced to a new housing development scheme linked to the £330million SnOasis project.Persimmon Homes now want to build 432 homes on Hackney's Corner, in Great Blakenham instead of the 537 it had originally intended.

MAJOR changes were today announced to a new housing development scheme linked to the £330million SnOasis project.

Persimmon Homes now want to build 432 homes on Hackney's Corner, in Great Blakenham instead of the 537 it had originally intended.

And the location of the proposed primary school has also been switched, meaning Claydon Football Club may not have to move from its current home, off Bramford Road.

The original plans, submitted last year, had indicated the school would be built on pitches used by the football club but owned by SnOasis developers Onslow Suffolk Ltd.

Now Onslow has agreed a deal that will see ownership of the land handed to Mid Suffolk District Council and the school built within the housing development.

Martin Davidson, of Persimmon Homes, said: “We will put this outline planning application in before the end of the week.

“We feel we've now addressed the issues raised by the planners. We're hopeful, after further public consultation, the application can be considered early in the New Year.

“We're quite pleased we've now reached the stage where we can submit a new application.”

Extra green spaces are included in the plans, as is a bus route via Chapel Lane.

Priority will also be switched to traffic travelling along Bramford Road instead of Gipping Road.

John Lawson, planning consultant for Mid Suffolk District Council, said the changes to the plans have followed lengthy talks with the applicant.

He added: “Persimmon has indicated the football pitches will be saved and we've indicated that would be preferable.

”Fingers crossed the application will be submitted like that.”

Persimmon intends to build the project in two phases, depending on the outcome of the SnOasis application.

Phase one, which could take up to four years to complete, would see 261 homes built.

If the winter sports resort is given the go-ahead, work could then start on the remaining 171. If SnOasis fails, Persimmon would have to submit a new application for the site, which would be required to create alternative employment opportunities.

Space for units, available for community or retail use, has been retained in the new application.