Pigeon has acquired the former Network Rail goods yard at Station Hill, Bury St Edmunds, from Platform4, Network Rail’s dedicated property development company, for an undisclosed price.
The acquisition enables Pigeon to combine its adjoining Burlington Mill site with the former goods yard and explore the potential to deliver a residential-led scheme adjacent to Bury St Edmunds railway station.
The goods yard site forms part of the wider Station Hill area, which has been identified for residential-led mixed-use regeneration within the West Suffolk local plan 2031. Pigeon’s Burlingham Mill site has existing planning consent for the conversion of the former mill to provide 42 homes and alterations to the access onto Station Hill.
William Stanton, joint chairman of Pigeon, said: “The acquisition of the former Goods Yard is an exciting opportunity for Bury St Edmunds. Following the land being released for new homes, as a local company proud of our town’s history, Pigeon is particularly excited by the prospect of working alongside local partners to deliver on joint ambitions for the Station Hill site.
“Station Hill has changed considerably in recent years, and we believe there is a real opportunity to build on that progress. By considering the goods yard alongside Burlingham Mill, we can take a more joined-up approach and explore how the combined site can make a positive and lasting contribution to this part of the town. We want to hear directly about how people feel the site should come forward, the types of uses it might enable, and what they see as the perfect gateway to our town.”
Andrew Ferguson, interim CEO of Platform4, added: “This acquisition is exactly what Platform4 was set up to do. Unlock the potential of underused railway land and put it to work for local communities. We are proud to be working with partners like Pigeon, who share our vision for high quality regeneration. By bringing this site forward alongside Pigeon’s adjoining land, we’re enabling a scheme in one of the most sustainable locations in Bury St Edmunds, right next to the railway station, that responds directly to the ambitions of both the local community and West Suffolk Council.”
