The virtual engagement seeks to inform members of the public and interested parties of their proposal for a new residential development off Seaman Avenue, Saxmundham.
Background
Please note that these plans are provisional and are subject to change before a formal planning application is submitted.
The old Fromus Centre
The Saxmundham & District Community Interest Company (SADCIC), a local social enterprise, formed in 2007 by local volunteers to encourage and support the economic, social, health and environmental wellbeing of all the people of Saxmundham and the surrounding area, have moved their community facility known as the Fromus Centre from the site in Seaman Avenue to a new town centre facility in Street Farm Road, Saxmundham. The new facility opened in November 2021.
The existing building on the site, the old Fromus Centre, is no longer fit for use and requires demolition. The proposed redevelopment of this site includes the demolition of the existing building.
The Supported Accommodation
Suffolk County Council are proposing to partner with Orwell Housing Association to build supported accommodation in the first phase of development to the site. The new homes will be a mixture of 1-bedroom bungalows and 1-bedroom flats with staff accommodation and office, private and communal gardens, and parking.
The accommodation will provide housing for vulnerable adults including those with learning difficulties.
Following this community engagement, a detailed planning application will be submitted for this part of the site.
The New Homes
The planning submission will include an application for outline planning permission to redevelop the remaining land on the site for 19 new homes. The current plans show a mixture of 4, 3, 2 and 1 bedroom homes.
Suffolk County Council intend to secure outline permission and sell the land to a developer to construct the 19 new homes.
The Community Garden
The community garden to the south of the site will be retained in it’s current format. During the construction work on site, there may be some limitations on access to the community garden, or alternative access may be required. This will be determined in due course.
The consultation
The consultation is being run by Orwell Housing Association. Please visit the Orwell Project Management website to view more information.
Your comments
Thank you for taking the time to look at Suffolk County Council’s proposals for this site. Your views are important to us, and we will take them on board as we progress our plans in preparation for a formal planning application.
Comments are invited via the online comments on the Orwell Housing Association website form. Should you wish to email your comments, please send them to: orwellpm@orwell-housing.co.uk
What’s next
All comments received will be recorded and analysed. Once the comments have been taken into consideration the proposals will be finalised and all the supporting information that will need to be submitted with a planning application will be prepared.
It is anticipated that a planning application will be submitted in April 2022 and anyone wishing to comment will be able to do so to the Council on the application in due course.
The deadline for comment submission for this virtual public engagement is 5pm on Friday 8 April 2022. Please note that comments received after this date may still be taken into consideration.
