RESIDENTS battling to save a conservation area from a development of homes are today waiting to see if their hard work has paid off.Neighbours of Hawks Mill Street, Needham Market, have spent the past 26 months campaigning against proposals to build five homes and an access road on land behind The Three Tuns pub.

RESIDENTS battling to save a conservation area from a development of homes are today waiting to see if their hard work has paid off.

Neighbours of Hawks Mill Street, Needham Market, have spent the past 26 months campaigning against proposals to build five homes and an access road on land behind The Three Tuns pub.

Although their objections have managed to stall it getting the go-ahead until now, a final decision is set to be made on Wednesday.

Mid Suffolk district council has visited the site, currently wasteland, in a last-gasp attempt to get a feel for the area and its protected heritage after claims a fair decision could not be made in the isolation of the council chambers.

Dozens of residents have raised concerns about the potential development, mainly surrounding the increase in traffic and road safety

They claim the area is already overloaded by parked cars.

Melanie Bolton, said: "The road is already dangerous and any more vehicles are just going to make it worse.

"Not only will it mean a loss of parking spaces for local people but the access will be onto a blind spot.

"As a mother I'm very concerned."

Six parking spaces have been planned for the five homes but residents claim this is not enough.

They are also worried about the area, protected because of its 16th century heritage, becoming overcrowded and unattractive.

Applicant Maxwell Wallace Homes claims the development will be isolated from the surrounding properties and meets all planning demands.

Spokesman Gordon Terry said: "We have been working on this scheme for 26 months and I believe we now have it right.

"I agree it is a difficult site but something has got to happen to it.

"I think the development will be a credit to this part of the town and it might even win some sort of design award."

Gordon Paton, vice chairman of the planning committee, said: "The visit was for members to examine the site and see the issues for themselves.

"Its is for the gathering of information on planning matters alone.

"It was not suppose to be a dispute but people putting points of view."

A decision on the application is due to be made at a council meeting on Wednesday at the Mid Suffolk council offices, Needham Market.

What do you think of the proposed development? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or

send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk