ENVIRONMENTALISTS fighting against the possible development of a "green oasis" near the centre of Ipswich are taking their battle direct to the government.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS fighting against the possible development of a "green oasis" near the centre of Ipswich are taking their battle direct to the government.

Meanwhile proposals to build flats on another area of woodland near the town centre were unanimously rejected today.

Members of SOLE – Save Our Local Environment – have asked the government's office of the Eastern Region (GO-East) to "call in" plans for 154 homes on the site of the Hayhill Road allotments.

They have been fighting proposals to build new homes on the land between the Old Cemetery, the Felixstowe rail line, and Woodbridge Road since they were first proposed in the local plan three years ago.

A planning application from developers Orchard Holdings plc had been due to be considered by Ipswich Council's development control committee today.

However that application was deferred until a later date, until details about drainage on the site are resolved.

Sue James from SOLE, said: "The government office has asked for details of all stages of the planning application, and we hope they call it in and then throw out the proposal," she said.

The group was hoping to hear from GO-East about its attitude to the application within the next few days.

Ipswich council's head of development control Mike Smith said he had not heard from GO-East, and would not expect the proposal to be called in.

Members of the development control committee today threw out plans to build 20 flats on land behind Rosehill Crescent.

Residents protested against the plans from developers the Woodberry Group Ltd, and their objections were backed up by planning officers.