AN Ipswich couple are calling for an investigation today after a copy of a letter they sent to town chiefs was sent to them branding them liars.Mary and Raymond Wood flagged up concerns over a development near their home back in 2004 by writing a letter to Ipswich Borough Council.

AN Ipswich couple are calling for an investigation today after a copy of a letter they sent to town chiefs was sent to them branding them liars.

Mary and Raymond Wood flagged up concerns over a development near their home back in 2004 by writing a letter to Ipswich Borough Council.

Planning permission was rejected in 2005 but the couple were astounded when they received a copy of their objection letter through the post with abuse scrawled on it.

Mr and Mrs Wood are now calling for Ipswich Borough Council to consider allowing anonymous objections to planning proposals to stop people being intimidated from making their views known.

The pair thought the issue of proposals to change a business premises near to their home had ended when planning permission was rejected in 2005.

But at the end of June they received the copy of the letter they sent Ipswich Borough Council in December 2004 with the word 'liar' scrawled across it and the phrase 'get a life, better still get a job' in black marker pen.

Mum-of-four Mrs Wood, 49, of Bramford Road, said: “I can't believe they were able to get a copy of the letter.

“I know it wasn't sent from the council but I want to be able to find out who sent it.

“It doesn't scare us but it could put people off voicing their objections to plans, which would be a really bad thing.

“I think they should review the way the information is given out, they should take the names and addresses off.”

The couple have made a formal complaint to Ipswich Borough Council and have asked for an investigation into the letter.

Does more need to be done to protect people who fight against planning applications? Should the system stay open? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

Richard Atkins, Ipswich Borough Council's portfolio holder for planning and regeneration, said he could not comment on whether an investigation would be launched because the council was currently looking at the complaint.

But he added: “We feel it is appropriate that people do know what is being said, we're for openness, but I find it distasteful that somebody exploits that.

“You would want to do things to prevent this happening but no one is aware of anything like this happening in Ipswich before.

“This kind of thing leaves a sour taste in my mouth but we don't want to have anonymous letters.”