Purpose

The Portfolio Holder for Planning will be asked to make a decision to go out to public consultation on the Land North of Rougham Tower Avenue, Bury St Edmunds Masterplan.

Report number CAB/WS/26/026 attached to this Notice provides further information on the background and purpose of the decision required.

Decision

Resolved:

That the land to the north of Rougham Tower Avenue, Bury St Edmunds Masterplan be approved for public consultation (as set out in Appendix 1 to Report number CAB/WS/26/026).

Reasons for the decision

The draft Masterplan for Land to the North of Rougham Tower Avenue outlined a strategic vision for the redevelopment of the former Rougham Airfield.  The site was an allocation in the West Suffolk Local Plan referred to as AP3. The site formed part of the former Rougham Airfield which operated from 1942 until 1948. For a number of years, the site operated as a light aircraft airfield and training school but that use ceased in 2023 and the site had since been given over to arable fields.

Key features of the draft masterplan included the location of:

•       around 500 homes

•       20 hectares of employment uses (excluding B2 uses)

•       Primary school and early years provision

•       Older person accommodation

•       Provision of self build plots

•       Open space

In addition, the draft masterplan set out how:

•       the grade II listed control tower and radar rooms settings were given due regard.

•       Appropriate buffers between the employment and residential areas

•       Sufficient Suitable Alternative Natural greenspace (SANG) would be provided.

The Masterplan had been drafted taking account of the planning policy position in the adopted West Suffolk Local Plan. It was now considered appropriate for the Masterplan to proceed to public consultation. Further comments received would then also be considered before the final draft was submitted for adoption by Cabinet.

Alternative options considered

Given the scale and nature of the proposals, no alternative options were available.