A MASSIVE new community could develop to the west of Ipswich over the next decade - with the town's oldest superstore at its centre.Development at Blakenham Park, off Sproughton Road, is already well under way and last week planning permission was granted for the construction of a new centre for the community with shops, retirement homes, and flats.

A MASSIVE new community could develop to the west of Ipswich over the next decade - with the town's oldest superstore at its centre.

Development at Blakenham Park, off Sproughton Road, is already well under way and last week planning permission was granted for the construction of a new centre for the community with shops, retirement homes, and flats.

Eventually up to 720 homes will be built on what was formerly called the Eastway Business Park.

Earlier this week it was announced that Ipswich Buses had been awarded £164,000 to start a new bus service to the community.

However Blakenham Park may only be half of the new development in the area - there could be a further 600 new homes built on the opposite side of the road and rail line on the site of the former British Sugar plant.

JG Land and Estates wants to develop the 100-acre sugar factory as a residential area with businesses and a community centre.

However the land is earmarked in the current Babergh local plan for “employment use” which means it should be all businesses with no new homes there.

The plan is currently under review and an inspector has heard submissions that the land should be used for new homes.

A final decision on whether homes should be built on the site is expected to be taken within the next few months.

Council leader Nick Ridley, whose Brook Ward includes Sproughton, said: “Babergh is waiting for the Local Plan Inspector to make his views known on the future of the Sugar Beet site at Sproughton.

“I am aware that many residents along the Hadleigh Road would welcome any proposal which leads to the clearing up of the adjoining industrial site.

“Equally, I appreciate that there will be those elsewhere in the parish who are concerned about the impact of a considerable number of houses being built which will be separated from the village by the A14 and the river.”

If the development is given the go ahead, the two separate developments are expected to share some facilities.

The new bus route to Blakenham Park would be extended to Broadmeadow - and there could other shared facilities such as a new primary school for the area.

One problem however could be access to the town along Sproughton Road and Bramford Road, which are already among the most congested routes into the town.