Approval For Council’s Innovative Housing Scheme

East Suffolk Council is delighted that an exciting and innovative scheme to redevelop the Former Deben school site in Felixstowe has received planning consent.

The proposed housing development, which the council itself will deliver, will seek to set the very highest standards in green technology and underlines the Council’s commitment to innovation and designing for a more sustainable future.

Meanwhile, outline planning permission has been secured for a leisure element with a significant proportion of the site to be set aside for indoor and outdoor sport, and new footpaths providing pedestrian links.

Cllr Richard Kerry, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This is outstanding news and illustrates this council’s commitment to delivering innovative schemes which meet local need while also fulfilling our longer term environmental and innovative ambitions.

“In 2019 East Suffolk Council voted unanimously to declare a climate emergency and the Council is committed to delivering energy efficient and sustainable homes which will help to reduce running costs for occupants. There is a housing shortage which we are seeking to address and schemes such as this show we are doing it in the right way.”

The redevelopment will retain and refurbish two existing buildings whilst providing 61 new homes designed to Passivhaus standard. The site will have a mix of private sale, affordable rent and shared ownership across the site with no design differences across these tenures, ensuring all properties will benefit from the same passive technology.

The scheme has been designed as a pedestrian-led environment with vehicle movement kept to a minimum. The proposals maximise green space and enhance biodiversity whilst still providing designated parking for all homes. The inclusion of “play streets” brings further emphasis to the pedestrianised nature of the site, creating a safe and welcoming spaces for residents to walk, meet and socialise.

The proposed development will provide for 69% of all dwellings to be affordable and with over 400 applicants on the housing register with a local connection to Felixstowe, the proportion of social housing is a positive contribution in an area where demand for affordable homes is high.

Meanwhile, the leisure scheme, which has received outline permission, includes an indoor bowls facility and cricket pitch, which will be open to the public with new footpaths providing pedestrian links to Valley Walk and the adjacent park.