Hatchfield Farm development finally cleared to proceed after long-running saga

Plans to build 400 homes on Hatchfield Farm on the outskirts of Newmarket have crossed the final hurdle, bringing to an end a 12-year saga over the development.

The revised proposal was given the green light by Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for housing, in March, and there have been no requests for a judicial review.

A spokesperson for West Suffolk Council said: "We have not received notification from the courts or government that a legal challenge has been made against the secretary of state’s decision."

The plans put forward by Lord Derby have caused considerable tension and disagreement in Newmarket for more than a decade with concerns that the extra housing would create more traffic and damage the town's position as a leading centre of horseracing.

These claims were dismissed by officials last month and Rebekah Paczek, spokeswoman for Lord Derby's Sansovino Developments, said: "We're very pleased to have got to this point as it has been a long process. We do not have a starting point for the project but we are looking forward to proceeding with it."

Paczek added that development work included in the proposal to improve the roads and horse walks in the area would be the first to get under way.

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