A plan to build three new homes in Belvedere Road in Ipswich has been refused for a second time, with neighbours arguing that more vehicles would make their road unsafe. 

In June, Ipswich Borough Council received the application to build three three-bedroom homes on land at 42 Belvedere Road. This application was adapted from a previous plan the council had rejected in October 2021. 

As with its predecessor, this application proposed building one detached home on land at the front of number 42, facing onto Belvedere Road. 

The other two homes would be semi-detached and built on land at the rear of the site. They would share access with the existing properties of 40b and 40a Belvedere Road. 

The council previously said that the plans would lead to a loss of greenery in the road. 

This was its response again. It said: “The proposal threatens this balance of development and green space with the greenery having already been stripped out in both front and rear gardens of the site. 

“The proposal is an overdevelopment of the site which would detract from the setting of nearby housing.” It also objected to the design of the homes, which it judged “very plain”. 

Ipswich Star: A view of the site of 42 Belvedere Road from above. Credit: Google MapsA view of the site of 42 Belvedere Road from above. Credit: Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)

Several neighbours wrote to the council to object to the plans.  

One resident said: “This is already a much-congested area with narrow passage way, which does not have the capacity for more vehicles. Erecting three more houses will pose a real concern for highway safety.” 

Another said: “That part of the road is already a bottle neck and the increase in traffic and on-street parking means that it is already dangerous there. Increased traffic from construction vehicles and then more resident vehicles will be too much. Waiting for an accident to happen.” 

Another agreed with the council’s view that the homes would not be in keeping with the rest of the road. 

They said: “It does not protect the character of our large garden plots and lower density housing mix. If agreed it will set a precedent for the houses with large gardens to the left to do the same.” 

The council rejected the plans on November 18.