Plan to flatten ambulance station for homes denied

A developer has been refused permission to demolish an old ambulance station and replace it with eight bungalows.

Plans were submitted by Foundation Properties for the site in Duckamere, Bramford, near Ipswich, that included a new road and car park.

During the debate on Wednesday, Mid Suffolk District Council's planning committee agreed the scheme would represent overdevelopment for the area.

Councillors voted unanimously to refuse the application to demolish the former St John Ambulance building, contrary to the planning officer's recommendation.

Bramford Parish Council shared its disappointment with the developer over a lack of engagement and raised concerns over issues like the lack of healthcare provision in the village and inadequate parking.

"This is a dire situation facing our residents and the current infrastructure is not currently fit for purpose," a Bramford Parish Council representative told the planning meeting.

Agent Craig Western acknowledged the parish council's comments on the development's impact on the road, but said the county council's highways team was happy with the plans.

He noted the fears with healthcare provision but said it was not a matter to be addressed in small applications.

This article was written by a trusted journalist and then edited for length and style with the help of AI, before being checked again by a BBC Journalist. It's part of a pilot.

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