NEW play and sports areas are to be provided at the old air base at Rendlesham as part of a 20-acre development – as long as councillors give their approval.

NEW play and sports areas are to be provided at the old air base at Rendlesham as part of a 20-acre development – as long as councillors give their approval.

The project involves land next to the former Bentwaters domestic site and will involve the removal of some old military buildings.

The Trustees of Sir Michael Bunbury want to build 75 detached houses but will also create nine acres of playing fields, provide a sports pavilion, basketball court and a new children's play area, plus woodland walks and cycleways.

Additional garden land will also be given to some of the residents of the bungalows in Suffolk Drive to enlarge their currently small gardens.

Suffolk Coastal's north area development control sub committee will discuss the scheme for the greenfield site north of Suffolk Drive – currently the land is part-agricultural and part-woodland – on Wednesday .

In a report, planning officers say the scheme for mainly five-bedroom and four-bedroom homes should be given the go-ahead.

"The sport pitches would consist of a senior and junior football pitch that would be served by a sports pavilion. The sports pavilion is considered necessary given the distance from the sports centre," says the report.

The proposal was generally in accord with the approved masterplan for New Rendlesham and would secure the sports facilities earlier in the village's development to the benefit of the community at large.

Eyke Parish Council has expressed concern about extra traffic through the village, but also wants to know if the extra housing will mean a start on a much-needed new school for Rendlesham.

"This latest proposed development of 75 substantial houses could increase significantly the number of primary school age children," it said.

"With Eyke Primary School and The Sandlings School full, it will be essential to have provision at Rendlesham."

Suffolk County Council education department will require the developer to contribute £340,280 towards education facilities for the children who will live in the houses – but not necessarily towards a new school.

Suffolk Coastal's report adds: "The site for the school area is defined in the masterplan and it is for the county education department to determine when this is to be provided."