A NEW community of up to 470 homes could soon be built on the site of a former industrial works in Bramford.Developer Braceforce is behind the £80million bid which could see 20 acres of land in Paper Mill Lane transformed into a mixture of apartments, houses and commercial units.

A NEW community of up to 470 homes could soon be built on the site of a former industrial works in Bramford.

Developer Braceforce is behind the £80million bid which could see 20 acres of land in Paper Mill Lane transformed into a mixture of apartments, houses and commercial units.

The site is home to a derelict fertilizer factory, which dates back to 1851 and is the largest timber frame grade two listed building in Suffolk. The factory, which was once occupied by Scotts, has been empty for a decade.

Leslie Short, from consultants Peecock and Short which is working on behalf of Braceforce, said a formal application would be submitted within three months.

He said if planners gave the bid the green light, improvements would be made to Paper Mill Lane to ensure the increase in traffic could be accommodated and a 50-acre riverside park would be created, linking the development with the rest of Bramford.

Mr Short said work could begin as soon as January next year and would take between three and five years to complete.

Graham Jones, vice chairman of Bramford Parish Council, said there was general support for the development among residents. He said: “We are all pleased to see that the redundant buildings are going to be put to good use.

“The amenities that Braceforce are providing are interesting, but maybe they don't go far enough. There is a possibility there could be a cycle track from the development and back into the village but we would like to see it extended to Claydon.”

David Bailey, of Vicarage Lane, Bramford, said: “The size of the development and the traffic it will bring are the concerns. With this and what's happening in Blakenham (SnOasis), it seems as though the Gipping Valley could face a lot of traffic.”

Parish council member Jim Thacker added: “The general feel is that the proposed development is quite tasteful, but the big problem is the access. The lane is quite narrow and any development would increase the traffic.

“Providing they can improve the road structure, I don't think there will be much of a problem.”

If planners eventually give the project the green light, it would significantly boost Bramford's population, which is currently estimated at 2,410.

Braceforce held a public meeting last month when more than 100 people turned out to find out more.

Do you support the development? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk