The new Henley Gate neighbourhood in Ipswich will prioritise providing green, open spaces for residents, new plans have shown. 

Further documents have been submitted for phase six of the Henley Gate neighbourhood, the 1,100-home development which will be created north of the railway tracks and east of Henley Road. 

Once completed, this neighborhood will make up roughly one-third of the ambitious Ipswich Garden Suburb project. 

When completed, the suburb will stretch from Henley Road to Tuddenham Road, providing up to 3,500 homes, three new primary schools, a new high school and a new shopping centre. 

The Henley Gate neighbourhood is under the control of developer Crest Nicholson. 

These latest plans relate to phase six of the neighbourhood, the proposed Country Park.

This park will act as a barrier between the Henley Gate homes, and the homes on Lower Road, Westerfield. 

A planning statement prepared by Stantec planning consultants on behalf of Crest Nicholson explained that the purpose of the park was to provide areas of green, open space for the enjoyment of residents.  

It said: “Phase six of the Country Park will predominantly comprise open space, with an interconnecting footpath connecting to the circular walking route through the Country Park.” 

It continued: “The layout of the western parcel of phase six of the Country Park has been designed to provide a high quality SANG [suitable alternative natural greenspace] which is accessible to all, as well as providing ecological areas to enhance biodiversity. 

“The Country Park would provide areas of wildlife habitat to be created and appropriately managed, providing replacement habitat for that to be lost and enhancing opportunities for wildlife currently present.” 

It acknowledged that some agricultural land would inevitably be lost, but that new habitats of wildlife meadows, grassland and scrub would be created. 

Hedgerows would also be retained if they were identified as being important for species of wildlife.  

It had previously been said that populations of great crested newts and smooth newts were present in three ponds located off the site, which would be retained, and that the site would offer suitable roosting and foraging opportunities for bats and badgers.