DEVELOPERS of the old British Sugar factory in Sproughton are today calling for reaction to new ideas for the site.JG Land and Estates has put forward proposals to turn the land, between the River Gipping and Sproughton Road, into a commercial development.

DEVELOPERS of the old British Sugar factory in Sproughton are today calling for reaction to new ideas for the site.

JG Land and Estates has put forward proposals to turn the land, between the River Gipping and Sproughton Road, into a commercial development.

These include creating a container storage area with a railway station for the port of Felixstowe or building another factory or warehouses.

The company has come up with the new document after its previous planning application for a mixed development including homes and a school was rejected last year because it didn't fit in with Babergh District Council's local plan.

John Jowitt, the company's planning director, said the company is committed to investigating viable options for the site, but feels Babergh should reconsider its desire to create commercial premises there.

He said: “We are looking to see if we have got the right type of development for the site and see what people's views are and what issues would arise.

“The site is too important to leave empty if we can't develop it in accordance with the local plan. We want to see if we can make it work, but we think there is a fundamental problem with a commercial site.”

In October, a planning inspector recommended the original plans be refused because Babergh had allocated the site for commercial use.

JG Land and Estates have now launched a High Court appeal, due to be heard on November 27, after his decision was upheld by Hazel Blears, the secretary of state for Communities and Local Government.

A spokesman for Babergh Council said the authority was unable to comment on the proposals at this stage because the future of the site was still the subject of potential High Court action.

What do you think of the ideas for the site? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

AFTER consultation with relevant parties, the development brief is now available to members of the public.

For a copy of the brief, please call Rebecca Biddle or Katie Kinnes on 01483 415915 or e-mail info@broadmeadow.co.uk.

A copy of the document can also be downloaded from www.broadmeadow.co.uk.

The deadline for responses is October 6. These can be sent via e-mail at info@broadmeadow.co.uk to by post at FREEPOST RLUH-UXXT-CRTH, M&N Communications, Queen Street Courtyard, Queen Street, Godalming, Surrey, CU7 1BA.