SERIOUS concerns have today been raised by residents of a Suffolk town over the threat of more than 1,000 homes earmarked for their community.Martlesham residents have warned their area is already at a ''saturation'' point and cannot sustain any more new houses.

SERIOUS concerns have today been raised by residents of a Suffolk town over the threat of more than 1,000 homes earmarked for their community.

Martlesham residents have warned their area is already at a ''saturation'' point and cannot sustain any more new houses.

The new homes are earmarked for land to the east of Ipswich and five greenfield sites are under consideration for new developments.

But a parish meeting at St Michael's Church Centre, Martlesham Heath, attended by more than 170 people, raised concerns about the pressure on schools, health facilities, access to the A12 and public transport.

Suffolk Coastal District Council is seeking views on the Local Development Framework Core Strategy to map out new housing in the next 15 to 20 years.

This proposes 970 new homes east of Ipswich at Rushmere, Kesgrave, Martlesham and Warren Heath, and 1,600 homes at Felixstowe, Walton and Trimley.

Area three includes land south of Martlesham Heath to Foxhall Road. Area four is Adastral Park, south of Old Martlesham and east of the A12.

Martlesham Parish Council said in a statement: ''The general feeling was that the area east of Ipswich is already at saturation point.

''The necessary infrastructure in terms of schooling, health, road access and public transport does not exist to support such development.

''The impact on access to and from the A12 was a particular concern - this has already been highlighted in the Martlesham Parish Plan.

''People expressed their concern that amenities within area three and four may be lost or destroyed if development were permitted.

''The impact on the Site of Special Scientific Interest, wooded and common areas was raised and it was felt that some of these could be irreparably damaged or destroyed.

''People identified the need to create open green spaces between communities and there was real danger of these being lost.''

The council added: ''The development of housing opposite the Foxhall landfill site was considered totally inappropriate as demonstrated by the problems that had been encountered at Martlesham Heath by current residents.''

Residents who want to comment on the plans should contact the LDF team, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Melton Hill, Woodbridge IP12 1AU or by emailing development.policy@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk by March 28.