Proposals to build more than 300 homes to “close the gap” between Ipswich and Claydon have been turned down by Mid Suffolk’s planning committee.

But residents who have campaigned against the proposal now face a nervous wait to see if the developers will appeal the decision – members of the council’s planning referrals committee rejected their officers’ advice to turn down the application.

Ashfield Land Ltd wants to build up to 315 homes on land between the Old Norwich Road and the A14 between Whitton and Claydon.

There were objections to the application from Claydon and Whitton Parish Council and Ipswich Borough Council – and 65 representations were made to the district about the application, the vast majority objecting to the plans.

Claydon and Whitton parish council chairman Chris Studd said most people in the village would be delighted the plans had been thrown out.

He said: “There was a real worry that if this went ahead there would be nothing between Claydon and Ipswich – we would lose our separate identity.

“Also there were concerns that the new homes would be very noisy because they would be right by the A14. And they would put a lot more traffic on the Old Norwich Road and completely change the character of the Old Whitton conservation area.”

However he did share the concerns of some at the district council that the applicants could decide to mount an appeal against the committee’s decision.

There were five reasons given for the refusal:

1. The proposed development would reduce the open countryside separation between Claydon and Whitton.

2. It failed to secure appropriate ecological mitigation measures.

3. It failed to satisfactorily address the impact of traffic arising from this development.

4. It failed to provide a high quality design and good amenities.

5. It failed to conserve or enhance the character of Whitton Conservation Area because of increased traffic and human activity.

A spokesman for Mid Suffolk council said no one was able to say much about the decision because the authority was still waiting to hear whether there would be an appeal against the decision.