Bury St Edmunds residents object to Goodfellows, in Kings Road, redevelopment plans as council voices support
Town residents have objected to redevelopment plans for a block of long-empty eco-flats as a council expressed its support.
The proposals for the site, which was built in 2008 but has been empty for several years, would create a replacement building with four one-bedroom flats, two two-bedroom apartments and three homes with three bedrooms.
Previous plans for the site were rejected by West Suffolk Council in November after concerns over the impact on the character of the area, the size of proposed one-bedroom units not being sufficient and it substituting 12 affordable homes with nine at market price.
Bury Town Council has expressed its support for the revised scheme, however some Kings Road residents have voiced concerns over its potential impact.
One resident focused on the potential parking issues the redevelopment would create. They said they could not support the application ‘on the grounds of the increased burden on an already oversubscribed residents parking scheme in the area’.
The resident said nine new homes would have a ‘serious negative impact’ on themselves and their neighbours, who already struggle to find parking on the street.
They suggested they could support the plans if residents would be able to use the surface car parks as overflow 24 hours a day, instead of the current allowance of between 4pm and 10am.
Other residents echoed concerns on the potential parking ramifications while highlighting further issues, such as the proposed height of the building.
In another objection, a resident said they had combed through the application and could only find details which described ‘a similar height building’.
The resident was concerned about this as they said they did not think anything taller was needed. They added it would ‘be nice’ to have a continuation of small terrace houses blending in with the surroundings instead of ‘cramming so many houses in one small space’.
In a neutral comment, another resident, who lives close to the site, said the development could cause issues for residents by way of increased traffic.
They said the current situation is ‘already not ideal’ and the development would need to proceed ‘with extreme caution’.
Regarding properties next to the development site, the resident said demolition and building works could affect families with children and pets.
They wanted an assurance that fences and other boundaries would be respected and protected during the works.
Find out about planning notices that affect you through the Public Notice Portal.
A decision on the plans is due by April 24.
