Road chaos fear over new homes
RESIDENTS living near to a proposed housing development in Stowmarket today claimed it could cause traffic chaos.David Reed of The Maltings, in Ipswich Street, believes O Seaman and Sons' town centre site is not suitable for residential accommodation.
RESIDENTS living near to a proposed housing development in Stowmarket today claimed it could cause traffic chaos.
David Reed of The Maltings, in Ipswich Street, believes O Seaman and Sons' town centre site is not suitable for residential accommodation.
The firm, which has been based in Stowmarket since 1912, yesterday announced plans to vacate their base within the next five years.
It is currently looking for a new headquarters in the mid Suffolk area.
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The announcement has met with concern from some of its near neighbours, including Mr Reed.
He said: "With Gipping Way and the proposed B1115 relief road, the council is trying to keep cars out of central Stowmarket.
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"Building 32 new homes in the centre of town will just lead to traffic chaos."
Outline planning permission is being sought for a 32-home development on the site, which would include a proportion of affordable housing.
But Mr Reed, whose converted grade II listed building adjoins the land, claims it would have a negative impact on the area.
"The reality is that most families these days own two cars," he said.
"That will mean a minimum of 128 vehicle movements every day, not including visitors, deliveries, services and emergency access.
"All of these vehicles will be trying to turn onto Ipswich Street which is a well-known bottleneck,"
One benefit of the proposed development, which has been supported by the town council, would be the provision of town centre housing.
However, Mr Reed believes this is not necessary, with 1,200 homes already planned on the Cedars Park estate.
He said: "With the new homes being built on the east of the town, there is no argument that these houses would help to fill a shortfall.
"And with the Council intending to take traffic away from the centre via the new relief road, why create new problems?"
The closing date for comments on the application to be made is March 3.
nWhat do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or join the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk
