Plans for 70 homes in Clare, near Haverhill, approved by West Suffolk Council despite schoolchildren safety concerns
A bid for 70 new homes has been approved despite concerns over the safety of schoolchildren.
Members of West Suffolk's development control committee discussed the plans, submitted by Rainier Developments, yesterday morning.
The outline application was for up to 70 new homes, nearly half of which would be affordable, to be built on land off Cavendish Road, in Clare, near Haverhill.
The biggest concern, councillors were told, was the potential impact the development would have on traffic safety, due to the site's location opposite Stour Valley Community School and the Denbury Homes’ Weavers Way development
The report highlighted Clare Town Council's fears about drivers driving down the A1092 at 70mph on a regular basis despite its 30mph limit.
Cllr Bobby Bennett, representing the area, said although she understood the developers were not responsible for fixing existing problems, the application would still have a detrimental impact.
She said: "I do have concerns that the remaining measures are insufficient in the eyes of the residents to mitigate against the application and keep the road safe.
"There's a real opportunity to get this right for the residents in Clare - I do not believe that every avenue has been explored to find a solution that is meaningful, proportionate and acceptable to highways."
Although the developer proposed extending the 30mph zone by 200 metres to cover the furthest east side of the site, councillors asked whether more could be done.
And while a new roundabout, traffic lights and a zebra crossing were all turned down due to the numbers of motorists using the road, the highways officer committed to looking into setting up 20mph advisory signage.
Should all 70 homes be built, the developer would need to pay close to £1.1 million in developer's contributions.
Councillors agreed to grant outline permission, with 12 votes for and one against.
This means a reserved matters application must now be submitted, nailing down the development's finer details.
