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The controversial idea to redevelop the former Project site in Haverhill for shops and businesses took another step forward last week when a planning application was submitted.

Cambridge-based developers HPG (Developments) Ltd unveiled their scheme in a consultation process in March.

Now they say they have had 'positive feedback' from the public consultation, so they have submitted a planning application to St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

The Hamlet Green plan is described as 'an exciting mixed-use regeneration scheme' on the former Project Office Furniture site on Ehringshausen Way.

Hamlet Green is designed to breathe new life into the site, HPG says, which has been vacant since the last occupier ceased operations and the buildings were demolished, by introducing a new employment and retail development delivering hundreds of new jobs.

The proposals include new warehousing and business start-up units to the rear of the site and a new builder’s merchant, a family restaurant and four bulky retail warehousing units towards the front of the site.

Commenting on the application, William Jewson, development director at HPG (Developments) Ltd, said: “The response to Hamlet Green from local residents, business people and others has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Of course, as with any development proposal, there are isolated concerns. However, we are working hard to address them. For example, we’re now proposing tilted lighting that will shine light away from adjacent properties and towards the development on site, a direct result of comments raised.

“Many local people have told us that they welcome the plans to regenerate this derelict site with the uses we propose,” said Mr Jewson.

“In particular, people have told us that Haverhill’s out-of-town retail offer could be improved.

"The four units proposed for bulky goods retailers would certainly improve this offer by complementing the town centre and encouraging more people to do this sort of shopping locally rather than travelling elsewhere to, for example, Cambridge.

"By encouraging this, we are increasing the chances that people will make use of the other shops and services in the town centre, which will only strengthen Haverhill.

"Also we are very encouraged by the interest in the employment space and in particular the interest shown in the proposed business start-up units.”

During the public consultation, local people were able to give their feedback on the plans via email, telephone or by attending the public exhibitions held at the Tesco store and Arts Centre in Haverhill.

Members of the development team also visited local homes and businesses individually to explain the plans in greater detail.

Nevertheless, the plan still has significant hurdles to overcome before it could come to anything.

The site is not zoned for any form of retailing in the Local Plan, which provides the guidelines on which St Edmundsbury's planners will advise borough councillors when it comes to making a decision.

If there is room for negotiation between the council and the developers the plan could take some time to come forward for a decision.

But if the council wants to stick rigidly to its Local Plan, the plan could come up at a committee meeting quite soon with a recommendation to refuse on the grounds that it does not conform to policy.