A final decision on the much talked about plans proposed by Lord Derby for 1,200 new homes on the outskirts of Newmarket could be on the horizon after the peer sought a meeting with town councillors to progress the development.
The new housing scheme, which plans to develop around 160 acres of land at Hatchfield Farm, has been opposed by Newmarket Town Council, business leaders, local action groups and the horse racing industry due to fears it could harm the town's historic character.
Initial plans for the houses were rejected in June, but Lord Derby has advised that new proposals for a smaller scheme would be significantly different from those originally put forward earlier in the year.
Councillor Richard Fletcher, Chairman of the Newmarket Development and Planning Committee, explained that whilst they had received a letter from Lord Derby requesting a meeting, they did not intend to make any decisions before the communal town council meeting at 7pm on Monday 27th September: “We have not agreed to meet him and it will be further considered at a meeting of the town council at the end of the month."
