Plans for 135 homes, a 65-bed care home, and a café in Pinewood have finally received approval after six years of negotiations with the local council. Rural Community Housing Ltd submitted the plans in 2014 and outline planning permission was granted in 2016. This initial application was for 155 homes – only 20 of which were granted approval. The remaining 135 homes were eventually approved by Babergh District Council on 4th November 2020.

Objections were raised by Pinewood Parish Council regarding the location and traffic modelling that were specified in the original 2014 plans. However, Babergh’s planning committee was only able to scrutinise the scale, appearance, and landscaping layout as the initial development proposal had already received approval in 2014. The objections regarding traffic and location were adjudged to have fallen under the pre-approved plans, therefore, could not be argued.

Craig Western, the agent on behalf of Rural Community Housing, said it was “providing a mixed community with a focus on over-50s accommodation and affordable rented homes” whilst also being a sustainable location.

The parish council confirmed it had no objections regarding these elements. Committee member David Busby said: “I like the design; I like the estate it’s just in the wrong place.”

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