The planned residential development on the former British Sugar site off Plantation Drive has taken a step forward.

The owners have submitted a scoping document which will lead to the production of an environmental impact assessment which is an essential precursor to an outline planning application.

The latter is now expected to be lodged in early 2014.

The new development is expected to be a predominately residential led scheme, of up to 1300 homes comprising family housing at a medium density together with

• A retail centre comprising Class Al/A2/A3/A4/A5;

• A multi-use community hub (with potential for uses such as a health centre, crèche, public hall, primary school, changing facilities associated with any intensive sports uses on the site);

• Provision of open space/green infrastructure;

• Access via a new link road through Former Manor School site, Plantation Drive and Millfield Lane; and

• Demolition of the Former Manor School buildings as necessary.

The report warns of potentially harmful levels of methane and carbon dioxide on the site.

However no signs of protected wildlife species, such as Great Crested Newts, have been discovered. A “bee bank” is under threat.

The report also describes how transportation, landscape, noise, air quality and other impacts will be assessed.