65 new homes proposed for former Stowmarket TruckEast headquarters site

An outline application has been submitted to turn the former headquarters of TruckEast in Stowmarket into 65 new homes. On Friday, December 23, TruckEast submitted an application to redevelop their former offices on Violet Hill Road, Stowmarket. The truck dealer was previously based in Stowmarket for 52 years, but decided to move to a new head office in Woolpit, near Bury St Edmunds, earlier this year.

The application seeks permission to build 65 new homes with 35% of them being affordable homes. The proposed housing split suggests 29 two-, three-, four-, and five-bed houses and 36 one-, two- and three-bed apartments. The Violet Hill Road site consists of 1.65 hectares of land surrounded by residential properties and is next to Chilton Community Primary School’s playing field.

It is also a five-minute walk from the Stowmarket Recreation Ground, Stowmarket Police Station and Stow Health GP Surgery. The application proposes to remove the hardstanding concrete site and replace it with “green open space” to soften the frontage. In the planning statement, it is stated that the proposal would “benefit from the sustainability credentials of Stowmarket,” as future residents would have a reduced need to travel due to the site’s proximity to the town.

It also suggests that the change of use of the site from the existing MOT and repair workshop for HGV vehicles to residential would make it “safer and easier for existing residents in the area to walk and cycle”. Mid Suffolk District Council’s development contributions manager has outlined that nearly GBP1million will be required for local infrastructure. This includes over GBP300,000 for secondary school expansion, GBP75,000 for sixth form expansion and GBP370,158 towards a primary school new-build.

Suffolk County Council, as the Lead Local Flood Authority, has recommended a holding objection as it feels the proposed development is “very dense” and doesn’t allow sufficient space for a full, above-ground surface water drainage system. In the application’s covering letter, James Bailey Planning Ltd made reference to the timing of the submission during Christmas, which may impact the consultation period. The letter added: “As such, we have made direct contact with Stowmarket Town Council to offer our support towards a reasonable extension of time on their comments to be received on the application.”

Trudy’s Sandwich Bar, which lies to the east of the site, remains open and will be continuing business for the foreseeable future.