URL: https://democracy.westsuffolk.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=955

Decision Maker: Portfolio Holder for Planning, Portfolio Holder for Housing

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The Portfolio Holder for Housing and the Portfolio Holder for Planning will be asked to make a decision to go out to public consultation on the Rowley Drive, Newmarket Masterplan.   Report number CAB/WS/25/035 attached to this Notice provides further information on the background and purpose of the decision required.

Content: The Portfolio Holder for Housing and the Portfolio Holder for Planning will be asked to make a decision to go out to public consultation on the Rowley Drive, Newmarket Masterplan.   Report number CAB/WS/25/035 attached to this Notice provides further information on the background and purpose of the decision required. Resolved:   That the Rowley Drive, Newmarket Masterplan be approved for public consultation (as set out in Appendix 1 to Report number CAB/WS/25/035). The Rowley Drive Masterplan outlined a strategic vision for the redevelopment of Icewell Hill, Churchill Court and Regents Court located on Rowley Drive Newmarket, as well as public realm improvements to this area. The masterplan included full scale demolition of the sites in a phased matter to allow high quality rebuilding.   The area was located within the Housing Settlement Boundary and therefore, did not need to be allocated within the Local Plan as the principle of residential development was acceptable. The residential units within the sites were mostly in the ownership of Flagship Housing and used for social rent. A small proportion of units were now in private ownership following the Right to buy scheme.   Key features of the masterplan included: •       High quality, safe, affordable and warm homes across a range of tenures that were well connected to the town, child friendly and inclusive. •       A strong emphasis on sustainability, biodiversity and improving green connections. •       A commitment to improve the sense of community and residents wellbeing. •       Wider improvements to public realm with play equipment and roadside landscaping. •       Extensive stakeholder and community engagement, with public consultation aligned to West Suffolk’s Statement of Community Involvement.   The public consultation would be for a six week period.  During this period the applicant would also be presenting their scheme to the Design Review Panel to seek further independent design advice on the proposals which would further influence the final Masterplan. Once the public consultation had closed, a statement setting out the results of this stage of the engagement process would be submitted to the Council together with a final draft version of the Masterplan. Upon approval, the final Masterplan would then be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance by West Suffolk Council and would be used to inform the decision-making process on future planning applications for new development that may be submitted. Given the scale and nature of the proposals, no alternatives were available.

Date of Decision: September 9, 2025