CITI Holdings – an educational services company based in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire – has emerged as a new bidder for the former Bentwaters USAF air base, near Woodbridge, Suffolk.
The company claims it wants to build a ” Business Air Park” on the site. The development would provide high-tech occupiers with access to a fully operational airfield and a university. The airfield is seen as a potential replacement for Ipswich Airport, which Ipswich Council wants to sell off for redevelopment as housing. However, CITI has yet to submit a planning application to local planning authority Suffolk Coastal Council.
A special meeting of the council’s planning committee will meet on 13 June to consider a revised planning application by the Chris Parker Group for a business space and residential scheme on the 389ha (961 acre) site. The council has declared itself minded to approve part of the scheme. This includes 535 houses, a primary school, a village centre and 5,703sq m (61,388sq ft) of B1 space.
The Ministry of Defence put Bentwaters on the market early last year. Bidwells is advising the MOD.
EGi News 15/05/96
