Innovative plans for cycle paths linking villages between Chelmondiston and Holbrook as part 22 new homes to be built on the peninsula, have been recommended for approval.

An application for erection of phased development of 22 dwellings, the creation of cycle path links to Holbrook and Chelmondiston, improvements to Berners Hall car park, provision of public open space and landscape enhancements. which will go before Babergh's planning committee tomorrow.

The committee will need to decide if the benefits of two social homes, more footpaths and cycle lanes taking pedestrians and cyclists away from the B1456, land dedicated to community use, a revamped village hall car park in Woolverstone, and enhanced landscaping, including wildflower meadows, outweigh any harm.

Planners must also decide if the policies and planning law has been followed and the Babergh officers have made the correct decision in recommending approval after looking at all the facts.

A mix of one, two and three-bedroom houses are being proposed across five sites on farmland at Woolverstone, the outskirts of Freston and Holbrook. The homes will include swift bricks, while nesting boxes for owls, kestrels and the birds will be incorporated. Electric car charging points and cycle storage and among conditions.

Owned by local farmer Geoff Mayhew, the various sites falls within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which backs the scheme.

Holbrook parish council has also given the application the nod, while Suffolk County Council's Highways department has raised no objections, but has requested a number of conditions are included to ensure visibility splays are adequate.

Shotley Peninsula Cycle Club has broadly welcomed the implementation of more cycle paths but has asked for more consultation on siting of the lanes and the materials to be used.

More than 30 objections have been lodged, and Woolverstone, Freston and Chelmondiston parish councils are against the cycle paths and the number of new homes.

Full details of the application can be found on Babergh's planning web page using reference: DC/20/03247 here...

Babergh's planning committee meeting can be watched live tomorrow morning starting at 9.30 am on YouTube here...