Councillors at West Suffolk Council have agreed a motion that reaffirms calls for plan-led growth, rigorous assessment, and meaningful consultation with residents on major housing, energy, and infrastructure proposals. This decision follows concerns raised by two significant proposed schemes: a new city and a power generation project with the potential to alter the landscape of West Suffolk.
The motion explicitly states the council's opposition to the 400,000-home Forest City proposal in its current form, citing its extraordinary scale and unresolved issues concerning infrastructure, water, transport, farmland, public services, funding, and impacts on existing communities. It welcomes the Government's decision not to progress Forest City through the New Towns Programme or a development corporation, while acknowledging that developers continue to pursue the plans.
Furthermore, the council commits to engaging fully and at the earliest opportunity with the Redmere Wind Farm proposal and other nationally significant infrastructure projects affecting the district. The motion also urges the Government and developers to ensure meaningful consultation with affected communities.
The motion highlights the increasing pressure on West Suffolk and the wider Suffolk area from large-scale proposals that could have long-term, potentially harmful consequences for communities, landscapes, infrastructure, and public services. The council's previous formal objection to the privately promoted Forest City proposal was based on it not being plan-led or evidence-based, lacking formal planning status, and not being supported by the Government, local authorities, or local communities.
Regarding the Redmere Wind Farm proposal, which involves up to 32 wind turbines reaching 220 metres high, along with battery storage across Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire, the motion acknowledges its early stage. Due to its proposed generating capacity, it will be considered through the nationally significant infrastructure planning process.
Cllr Cliff Waterman, Leader of West Suffolk Council, stated, “West Suffolk recognises the need for new homes, renewable energy and infrastructure, but major proposals must be plan-led, evidence-led and supported by the infrastructure and services communities rely on. In short West Suffolk communities must be at the heart of these decisions.” He added that it supports his role in engaging with Government, neighbouring authorities, MPs, and other stakeholders to champion West Suffolk’s interests.
Cllr Joe Mason, who seconded the motion, emphasised, “This is about making sure the voice of local residents who have to live with the consequences of these developments are front and centre, such as in the case of Redmere. It reaffirms our opposition to the Forest City proposals that seem to return like a bad penny despite not being included in Government plans. It ensures local people, parish and town councils and elected representatives have a meaningful voice when proposals could fundamentally affect the future of their communities.”
The motion was debated by councillors at the Council meeting on 13 October.
