20th Century House Building
The 20th century saw the start of housing estates being built in Stowupland. In addition smaller plots of land were also sold off by larger farmlands for private development. Even in the 1950’s worries were expressed that ‘the trouble with Stowupland is that part of it is becoming urbanised as a dormitory for Stowmarket’.
A 1951 survey showed that 1/3 of houses had no piped water. 1/2 no fixed bath and 1/3 no kitchen sink! Two years earlier there were concerns that a housing shortage meant that 2 or 3 families were occupying a bunglow.
From 1951 to 2011 house numbers tripled from 284 to 900. Whilst the population rose from 942 to 2264.
Housing Estates
Columbine Close Bungalows commenced 1926. A newspaper cutting dated 15th April, 1949 reported that in 1928 the old East Stow RDC had built 38 bungalows ‘laid on running water without, however providing the means to take it away again.’
Broompath Estate began 1935
Hopgood
The Heights commenced 1960s.
Trinity Walk commenced from 1950s
Press cutting from October 1962. when Stowupland Heights was proposed. Just a couple of memories from when this appeared on Facebook in 2021.
‘I worked on them houses in early 60’s for Reg Meakings from Creeting, I earned my first £20 a week there, it was a very good wage then.‘
‘Bought our first home on this development in 1965, for £3150. The builders were Meaking and co from Creeting, and Bertie Quinton from Stowmarket..
Saxham Street was the site for many bungalows being built in the 1960’s
Restleigh – was built in the 60’s by Robert and Grace Wilden. They had previously owned Davy’s / Little Meadows. This was in effect their retirement home built on land they had previously owned.
