Developers who were refused planning permission to build new homes and a convenience store on the boundary of Woodbridge and Martlesham have submitted fresh proposals – but with less housing

Suffolk Coastal councillors rejected Gladman Developments’ project for 215 new homes and a 400sq m store on a 31-acre field off Top Street, Martlesham, at the back of Dukes Park, Woodbridge, because it was against policy as it would destroy the separation between the two communities.

They feared it would also harm views from a beauty spot in the nearby Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Deben Estuary Special Protection Area and development would harm the setting of the AONB and disturb wildlife in the area.

An original scheme for the site had suggested 250 homes.

Cheshire-based Gladman Developments has already lodged an appeal against the refusal, but now it has resubmitted the scheme.

It will still include the same size convenience store and car parking, informal open space and a children’s play area, but the number of homes has been reduced from 215 to 140. The company says this will still include up to 30% of them being affordable properties.

Previously it said its overall vision was “to provide a distinctive and high quality place, reflecting the qualities and character” of Woodbridge and the AONB.

It said the site was a suitable location for development and a “logical extension” of the town – particularly bearing in mind that Suffolk Coastal needed to provide sites for homes to meet its housing targets – and located close to Woodbridge’s amenities.

The company felt any minor adverse impacts did not, as the council stated, “significantly and demonstrably” outweigh the benefits of the scheme.

Woodbridge councillor Geoff Holdcroft said at the time of the refusal that the land was probably economically and socially sustainable as a housing site but the environmental impact was not acceptable.

He said: “This field and the adjoining field are the last bastions between the coalescence of Woodbridge and Martlesham and neither of us wants coalescence of these neighbourhoods.”