Around 100 villagers packed into Gislingham Village Hall on Wednesday night to vent their anger over plans to build 35 houses at Chapel Farm, Mill Street.

Chris Tutin, chairman of the parish council, said: "The vast majority and all the parish council totally reject this application. We don't want this development in any way, shape or form."

The meeting was called by a group named the Concerned Residents, who invited representatives from Mid Suffolk District Council and the applicant to attend.

Sarah Roberts, agent for the applicant, said: "The land in question is in the settlement of the village, which means it is predisposed for development."

She said there would be a mixture of homes, ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses, as well as 12 housing association homes and 78 car parking spaces.

But residents hit back, arguing it was 'totally inappropriate' and would lead to increases in traffic, flooding and safety issues.

One resident said: "This is a greedy application, trying to get as many houses on the site as possible."

Another said: "There are around 900 people in this village and a further 90 people could come in as a result of these plans – that is not small scale development.

"There are 78 potential cars that will exit and enter this site, which is on the main route out of the village and there are no pavements.

"This is horrendous, it's suicidal."

Philip Isbell, head of planning at Mid Suffolk District Council, said it had received 146 letters of objection but decisions would not be made until it went to committee.

He said Gislingham had been identified in the Local Plan as a primary village with some facilities and was subject to development.

But residents said the village school was already at capacity, the post office was earmarked for closure and there were no other facilities.

Mr Isbell said the application would be discussed by Mid Suffolk district councillors in June.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have your say on this article - scroll to the top of the story and click on 'comment' or email the editor with your views.

Click here to go back to our news index.