Property firm Pigeon has purchased a 161-acre site to the south of Saxmundham in Suffolk.

The land has been allocated in the East Suffolk Council Local Plan for a new garden neighbourhood consisting of around 800 new homes and associated infrastructure to the east of the adjacent A12, as well as approximately 18 acres of commercial space to the west.

The garden neighbourhood had been promoted by Pigeon on behalf of the vendors for some time, but the company has now purchased the land on a freehold basis to further progress its delivery.

Andy Redman, director in the development team at Savills Chelmsford, provided consultancy and agency advice to the landowner and helped to facilitate the deal.

 “The site represents an opportunity to deliver a significant amount of development in a district which desperately needs new housing, whilst also meeting the growing needs in the immediate environs as a result of the Sizewell C [nuclear power station] project,” Andy said. “We look forward to seeing Pigeon take the project forward.”

In addition to new homes and employment, the Saxmundham Garden Neighbourhood will also provide land for a new primary school and two pre-schools, roadside services, custom/self-build homes, new and enhanced cycle and walking links, and extensive public open spaces.

Simon Butler Finbow, group planning director at Pigeon, said: “We have been working directly with East Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council, Saxmundham Town Council, Benhall and Sternfield Parish Council, and other local stakeholders in the planning of the garden neighbourhood.

“We are pleased to take this commitment to the next stage, having purchased the land freehold and looking to submit a site-wide planning application in the coming weeks. This masterplanning of the scheme will go a long way to deliver on local needs and ambitions whilst harnessing the opportunities presented by Sizewell C.”

Will van Cutsem, joint chairman of Pigeon, added: “This acquisition represents a significant investment by Pigeon into a prime mixed-use development, off-market, and making the most of the exciting macro-level demand brought on by the construction of Sizewell C.

“With an estimated 4,000 companies in the supply chain for Sizewell C, in addition to homes for both local people and those delivering the power station, there is also considerable demand for commercial property which will be met, in part, through what is proposed.”