Hundreds of homes planned for former airfield site

About 500 new homes could be built on a former airfield with people being asked to share their thoughts on the plans.

The homes, if approved, would be built on the site of the former Rougham airfield north of Rougham Tower Avenue, near Bury St Edmunds.

Very little of the runway infrastructure remains today, according to planning documents, and as well as new homes, the site would have land set aside for a primary school and early years facility.

On Monday, West Suffolk Council launched a public consultation on a draft masterplan for the site which is open until 7 September.

The airfield's Grade II listed radar building and control tower were built in 1942 and remain intact.

Planning documents show that there is a requirement for any future development to retain these buildings with "some degree of open space" around them.

They also show that the site would be split into a residential area with a number of affordable homes, and a separate area of employment land supporting a range of uses.

The site would also include accommodation for older people.

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The draft masterplan has been created by developer Crest Nicholson.

The council is consulting on the draft masterplan and once adopted, the masterplan will inform the developer's planning application for the site.

The site has already been allocated for homes in the council's current local plan.

Frank Stennett, cabinet member for planning, said the consultation was a "fantastic opportunity" for people to give feedback and "shape the future development of this site".

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