East Suffolk Council

Plans for Former Deben High School Site, Felixstowe

Latest news on the plans and development

Former Deben High School site planning submission

East Suffolk Council recently exchanged contracts to take ownership of the former Deben High School site in Felixstowe from Suffolk County Council. We are excited by this significant opportunity as it will enable us to deliver two important leisure developments as well as much needed housing for the town.

We would now like to tell you more about the next steps for our proposals on the four-hectare site, which consists of a range of buildings of various ages and substantial playing fields.
These will include:

• The new Felixstowe Sports Hubs
• A home for Felixstowe Indoor Bowls Club
• Private and affordable housing (50-70 homes)

The project is being undertaken in phases, with phases one and two covering the purchase and partial demolition of the site, while phases three and four will focus on the housing and leisure development. The intention is that building work would then get underway in 2021.

To enable this development, a large portion of the former school buildings will be demolished so that the site can be repurposed to accommodate the new development. However, the original Lower School Assembly Hall will be retained and preserved as part of the development proposals. This building will provide a focal point for the development, marking and celebrating the site’s former heritage.

The housing proposal includes accommodation demonstrating a strong sustainable focus and a low carbon approach. To meet local need, over 30% of properties will be affordable homes.

Access to green space and integration of landscaped areas throughout the development are important aspects of the proposal and, importantly, the playing fields are to be retained in their entirety.  The playing fields are protected from development under the Schools Framework Act 1977 and the Council are working with Felixstowe and Corinthians Cricket Club to explore the opportunity to make this their long-term home. By utilising and upgrading the old sports hall facility at the Deben school site, the plan is for the Indoor Bowls Club and Cricket Club to share some of the facilities in a purpose-built centre.

The existing Sports Hall will be developed to increase current leisure opportunities and for use as a Felixstowe Sports Hub, including specific facilities for the Felixstowe Indoor Bowls Club, currently housed at the Felixstowe Leisure Centre. Meanwhile, the Guides, who currently occupy the site, will retain their lease for a hut on the playing field, operating independently.

East Suffolk Council is naturally very excited about this opportunity, however we also want to ensure that local people understand what we are doing, why and when.

If you should have any specific queries on the proposed development, please direct these to either our Leisure Team or our Housing Development Team.