PRESSURE groups were today told they will not be welcome when community leaders visit a 340-acre site BT is proposing to transform into a major development.

PRESSURE groups were today told they will not be welcome when community leaders visit a 340-acre site BT is proposing to transform into a major development.

The telecommunications giant has submitted a large-scale application to build a new community along the A12 at Martlesham.

The massive development scheme - if approved by Suffolk Coastal - will have to be referred to the government for a final decision before work can start.

Ivan Jowers, chairman of the district's south area development control sub committee, said the all-day visit by councillors on June 8 to Adastral Park was not a time for debate or decisions.

“It is an opportunity for the committee to see on the ground what the application is about and not an opportunity for debate whatsoever,” he said.

“No pressure groups will be allowed on site, only the local district councillor and members of the parish councils, who will not be allowed to speak about the scheme and only to point out to us anything they wish us to look at.”

The committee members will look at all of BT's landholding in the area, and the mineral workings which currently exist and which would be converted into a central public park with lake.

The councillors will also visit A12 junctions to assess the impact of traffic and proposals for traffic lights at the roundabouts.

Head of planning services Philip Ridley said it was important a site visit took place because the scheme was of major significance for the council and the region and would have implications across the district.

“The application does not accord with the policies of the development plan in that it proposes major housing development in the countryside,” said Mr Ridley.

“If the council were minded to approve the application it would need to be referred to the secretary of state, who would then have the opportunity to call in the application for determination by herself.”

Is Adastral Park the right place for new homes and businesses? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

FASTFACTS: BT's Adastral Park would include:

60,000 sq metres of extra employment area

2,000 new homes

Health centre, community centre, shops, caf�, pub and takeaway

New primary school and possibly a high school

Hotel

Energy centre

Public park

New road connections to Newbourne Road/Heath Road/Waldringfield Road, and changes to three junctions on the A12