Approval given to new Co-op

FELIXSTOWE: Community leaders last night gave their seal of approval to a new supermarket on one of the county's busiest village roads - but residents stormed out in anger.

Villagers had voiced deep concern over the traffic danger and congestion the store could cause right opposite a 370-pupil primary school, and worried it would attract teenagers congregating and drinking at night, bringing further problems.

After Trimley St Mary Parish Council voted to support the project for a Co-op store in High Road, people who had voiced their objections walked out of the meeting.

Councillors felt it was a difficult decision but there were no planning policy reasons to prevent Brands Garage servicing and MoT centre being demolished and replaced with the supermarket and a 20-space car park.

However, they agreed to ask Suffolk Coastal to restrict Sunday opening from 10am to 4pm, ensure deliveries only take place during opening hours and not at school start and finish times, that a provisional alcohol licence only be agreed, and CCTV installed to watch over the street and seating area opposite to deter gangs of youths.

They also want proposed new yellow lines to restrict parking outside the school in place before the store is built.

David Slater said: “We have problems with youths hanging around the estate and I can se them moving here to the new store instead of where they are now, especially if alcohol is sold.”

Pc Raoul Pidgeon agreed outside the school could become a congregating area and that could lead to problems in the school grounds.

Council chairman Bryan Frost said: “If this store was to be built on any other site I would be in favour, but with the school and the traffic and High Road getting busier, I cannot support it.”

Does Trimley need a supermarket? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk