Planning decision due on Rougham Hill redevelopment

27 May 2026

A key milestone in a project to improve a gateway site off the A14 into Bury St Edmunds, creating jobs and long-term income for public services, could be reached next week.

West Suffolk Council, which owns the redundant former household waste site at Rougham Hill, submitted a planning application last year for its redevelopment. It submitted a revised application earlier this year to address issues raised by consultees.

Next week will see the application considered and discussed by members of the council’s Development Control Committee with a recommendation for approval from planning officers.

If the application is approved, the scheme will still be subject to final evaluation of construction tenders and the appointment of a contractor.

Should all go ahead, the redevelopment will deliver a new Aldi supermarket to support the nearby housing development and the wider area, alongside a drive through Wendy’s restaurant. Both businesses would create around 40 new jobs each. It would also create an asset and a long-term income stream towards supporting the cost of day-to-day council services – currently Council Tax covers just 16 per cent of what it costs West Suffolk Council to deliver its services.

Aldi and Wendy’s were selected as the council’s chosen tenants after the site was openly marketed through Carter Jonas in 2022 to understand all potential active interests and uses.

Prior to submitting a planning application, West Suffolk Council held a public consultation in spring 2025 with the majority of responses in favour of the proposed development. Comments received both at that stage and during the planning application, fed into the plans that have been put forward to committee.

Cllr Diane Hind, Cabinet Member for Resources at West Suffolk Council said: “If all goes ahead, this redevelopment will improve the look and feel of this important gateway site into the town in line with the Council’s strategic priority for sustainable growth. It will create local jobs and bring a site which once served as the household waste site visited by thousands of vehicles every week, back into use, supporting the housing development nearby and the wider town and surrounding villages. It will also add further long-term income to pay toward the cost of public services.

“I’m pleased to see the application has been recommended for approval and I look forward to hearing the committee discussion next week.”

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