The Triangle Development

The Triangle (the area between Mill Road, The Street and School Road) has been earmarked for development. In November 2022 a draft Development Brief, prepared on behalf of West Suffolk Council and Suffolk CC, was the subject of a public consultation. The Parish Council set up a Triangle Taskforce, led by Philip Reeves to examine the proposals and make representations on their behalf.

Update - November 2024 

On 5 November 2024 the Cabinet Committee of West Suffolk Council decided to adopt a slightly revised Development Brief as informal planning guidance. On behalf of the Parish Council, Philip Reeve, Chair of The Triangle Taskforce, expressed profound concern that the Development Brief does not give sufficient regard to the policies  within the Neighbourhood Plan. The 150 dwellings stated in the Neighbourhood Plan have not been subject to the normal respected processes of viability for an adopted planning document. Consequently, the increase in the number of houses from 150 to between 184-191 has not been sufficiently justified. The land  set aside for Community uses is less than 2 hectares. No community buildings such as a convenience shop,  Post office or coffee shop will be provided by the developer, with only a space reserved for a future build. Sarah Broughton, our District Councillor and local resident Elaine Read also expressed their concerns. 

The Academy Trust and the staff of Great Barton Primary School also have concerns that the proposals  within the Development Brief for the Car Park/Drop-Off and the MUGA (Multi Use Games Arena) facilities  do not meet the needs of the school. The Academy Trust and School staff are concerned that the proposed  locations of these facilities, along with the additional 1.1 hectares for a possible expansion of the school, will not be satisfactorily integrated. 

Barley Homes (a house builder company owned by West Suffolk Council) will be submitting an Outline Planning Application for the whole site in the New Year, together with a detailed Planning  Application for Phase 1, which will include 40 homes alongside School Road. The access/egress will be off Mill Road. This Phase 1 build will also include a Car Park and Drop-Off for pupils attending the Primary  School to relieve the congestion on School Road and the adjoining roads. This facility will also assist with  future proofing our Primary School when it comes to any expansion. 

When the planning application is submitted this will be your best and last chance to influence:-

• Access and egress to the development, 

• The connectivity of footpaths and cycleways within and beyond the development,

• The housing layout within a landscape setting, 

• The housing design, building materials and architectural details,  

• The incidental play areas. 

If you have views on the design of The Triangle over and above the points stated, please do make sure that you comment on the Planning Applications when they are published on West Suffolk Council's Planning  Website.  

There is still an opportunity to influence the design - the adopted Development Brief is there only as  guidance.