Plans submitted for 80 houses on Mitford Close in Ipswich

An application has been submitted to Ipswich Borough Council to set up a new development on the 3.71-hectare land north of Mitford Close. 

The applicant, Blakeney Estates Ltd, seeks permission to build up to 80 houses, as well as associated parking, landscaping, garden, leisure areas, and access improvements.

Up to 24 of the built homes are set to be council houses. 

The proposal comprises a mixture of detached, semi-detached, and terraced homes, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom detached houses. 

Up to 80 houses, including affordable homes, could be built on the land north of Mitford Close in Ipswich, Google Earth (Image: Google Earth)

Blakeney Estates Ltd shared its vision for the development as a 20-minute neighbourhood site, which aims to provide health facilities and well-being facilities close to residents' homes, as well as increase social and physical connections in communities and tackle climate change. 

The applicant carried out a community consultation on the proposal from July 9 to 23, 2023. 

Local residents raised a number of issues in regard to the plans, including fears that the development would lead to an increased number of vehicles and traffic on the local network, as well as additional cars would also impact the safety of the local roads and lead to an increase in accidents. 

The proposed access via Mitford Close was called “insufficient” and “too narrow”.

Up to 80 houses, including affordable homes, could be built on the land north of Mitford Close in Ipswich, Google Earth (Image: Google Earth) 

The neighbours are concerned that the proposed development would lead to the loss of green space and countryside as well as have a negative impact on local wildlife. 

They also said that the introduction of additional residents to the area would add pressure to local services such as schools, GPs, dentists and leisure facilities. 

The need and capacity of the area to deliver housing were also questioned against the development, referring to nearby developments such as Henley Gate. 

The site neighbours with Grade II listed Church of St Mary, Grade II listed Sparrowe’s Nest and Farmhouse, Thomas Wolsey School and Asda Ipswich Superstore.