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Council homes for Eye get go-ahead

Council homes for Eye get go-ahead

The long-awaited redevelopment of a former care home in Eye took a major step forward this week with planning permission granted for 16 ‘affordable homes’ to be built on the site.

Paddock House, the site of a former 30-bed care home and day centre in Wellington Road, was purchased by Mid Suffolk District Council in 2016, beginning a long-running series of discussions and consultation with Eye  Town Council and the local community over its regeneration.

The scheme finally received the go-ahead last week, when planning consent with conditions was granted under the Chief Executive’s emergency planning powers, as a result of the coronavirus emergency.

The site will include 16 ‘affordable homes’, in other words, available either to rent by those on lower incomes, adding to Mid Suffolk District Council’s housing stock of more than 3,000 council homes, or to buy as shared equity homes – helping low income house-hunters onto the first rung of the property ladder.

The houses have been designed sympathetically, using materials appropriate for the Eye Conservation Area, with plans also including parking, footpaths, car ports, bin and cycle storage, open space and landscaping.

The delivery of the new homes that will be managed by Iceni Hones, will also preserve the former private garden and established Indian Bean tree as a new public space for the local community to enjoy.

Mid Suffolk District Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economic development Cllr Gerard Brewster said: “I am delighted that we have been able to work together with architects Ingleton & Wood, Eye Town Council and the local community to transform this derelict site into much needed local housing.”

Mid Suffolk District Council’s cabinet member for assets and investments, Cllr Peter Gould, who is also ward councillor for Eye, said:  “We have listened to concerns and radically altered our proposals over time to find a solution that works, alongside the town’s neighbourhood plan, and responds sensitively to its setting within the town’s historic core.

“Together with the town council and local residents, I believe we have come up with a development that not only meets housing needs, but also retains open space for the community to enjoy for generations to come.”

Further work is now underway to ensure work can begin next year, including the development of a traffic management plan to reduce the impact of construction vehicles through the town.

The homes are due for completion in 2022 – with local residents and families receiving priority in applying for the 10 shared ownership properties for an initial three-month period.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Cllr Gerard Brewster (Ind), Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, gerard.brewster@midsuffolk.gov.uk Tel: 01449 615527, mob: 07889 301418
• Cllr Peter Gould (Con), Cabinet Member for Assets and Investments, peter.gould@midsuffolk.gov.uk Mob: 07548 155010
• Cllr Julie Flatman (Con), Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, julie.flatman@midsuffolk.gov.uk Tel: 01986 798661
• Cllr Keith Scarff (Lib Dem), Green Party and Liberal Democrats spokesperson for Economic Growth, keith.scarff@midsuffolk.gov.uk Mob: 07970 630 494
• Cllr John Matthissen (Green), Green Party and Liberal Democrats spokesperson for Assets & Investments and Economic Growth, john.matthissen@midsuffolk.gov.uk Tel: 01449 258 894, Mob: 07976 308128
• Cllr Sarah Mansel (Green), Green Party and Liberal Democrats spokesperson for Housing, sarah.mansel@midsuffolk.gov.uk Mob: 07860 829 517

Social media:

http://www.facebook.com/midsuffolkdistrictcouncil

https://twitter.com/MidSuffolk

http://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/

Further information: 

Paula Elwood, Assistant Communications Manager

E-mail: communications@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk

Skate park at Town Moor and the Pocket Park at Oak Crescent remain closed