RESIDENTS campaigning against plans for a new recycling facility have won a stay of execution after because of concerns about extra traffic.Suffolk county councillors met yesterday to decide whether to allow S Sacker (Claydon) Ltd to set up the facility at Barking, near Needham Market.

RESIDENTS campaigning against plans for a new recycling facility have won a stay of execution after because of concerns about extra traffic.

Suffolk county councillors met yesterday to decide whether to allow S Sacker (Claydon) Ltd to set up the facility at Barking, near Needham Market.

It would handle cardboard, paper, plastic and wood, and council officers had recommended the development got the go-ahead subject to a string of conditions on issues including pollution, lighting and traffic management.

Councillors had no concerns about the site, which is within a former quarry, but were concerned about the impact of lorries on Needham Market and the B1113.

They deferred making a decision, but will instead await further information about HGVs and hold a site visit during June.

Julia Truelove, the county councillor who represents the area, said: “Besides those living in the 300 homes approaching and leaving the High Street, the street itself is within a Conservation Area.

“There are 82 listed buildings, including one grade one, three grade II starred and 78 grade two. These properties have already been subjected to long-term damage caused by HGVs using the High Street.”

Trevor Woolnough, who lives in a listed building in the High Street, said: “Sacker's are listening to us and appear to have a social conscience, but we already have a big problem with lorries.

“They cause three problems at the moment - they are dangerous mounting pavements, they reduce the quality of life for residents and they cause structural damage to houses. Mine is full of cracks.

“I wanted the council to postpone their decision or impose binding conditions on the company. This is a stay of execution for us.”

David Dodds, joint managing director for the firm, said: “Naturally we are disappointed, but we very much welcome the site visit from councillors so they can see exactly what we do and how professionally we run our company.”

The development will create up to ten new jobs at the site and the firm is proposing putting in place a transport plan to divert all their HGVs away from Needham Market along the B1113 to the A14.