A substantial new development is on the horizon near the A47, with over 1,300 homes, a school, and a retirement complex planned for a garden village on the northern outskirts of Lowestoft. This initiative marks the first garden village in the area and is set to transform farmland owned by Suffolk County Council into a vibrant community.

Newly submitted documents to East Suffolk Council reveal detailed plans for the village which will occupy 91 hectares of land, 71 hectares of which are currently used for farming but have been allocated for development. The remaining 20 hectares are designated as ‘Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace’ for public recreational use.

The proposed development is structured in two phases. The initial phase will cover 11 hectares and includes plans for 100 homes. The more extensive second phase will spread over 80 hectares and could see up to 1,200 dwellings, with 30% earmarked as affordable housing. This phase will also feature up to eight hectares of employment space, a primary school with a preschool, a community centre, and a play area.

Designed with garden city principles, the village will emphasise extensive landscaping, tree planting, and green infrastructure to create a cohesive and sustainable environment.

Before moving forward, the county council’s consulting firm, Phase 2 Planning and Development Ltd, has submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report to gauge the potential environmental impacts of the project. The public has already had opportunities to weigh in on the proposal during two consultations held in 2021 and 2022.