DEVELOPERS hoping to build a superstore in Felixstowe town centre have been dealt a huge blow today – after community leaders rejected the scheme.

Ipswich Star: The old railways sidings site where Albourne Properties propose to build a new superstore for Felixstowe - looking from the Garrison Lane bridge back towards the town centre.The old railways sidings site where Albourne Properties propose to build a new superstore for Felixstowe - looking from the Garrison Lane bridge back towards the town centre. (Image: Archant)

Concerns over the impact on residents living closest to the project, worries about increased danger from changes to the Garrison Lane traffic lights junction, and night-time noise from delivery lorries were cited as the major objections.

Albourne Property plc has submitted plans for a 30,000 sq ft supermarket on a brownfield site, old railway sidings and nursery land, off Railway Approach.

It would have a transport interchange, and a 300-space car park.

Felixstowe Town Council’s plans committee agreed to recommend refusal for the scheme, but Suffolk Coastal council will make the final decision.

Councillors were told the superstore would be two metres higher than the two-storey houses in High Road West and only 1.5m from back garden fences.

Mayor Mike Deacon said: “I think this will have an appalling impact on the quality of life of residents living next to it.

“How many of us would want to wake up every morning, pull back the curtains and look out onto that. It’s unacceptable.”

Councillor Doreen Savage said the scheme was an overdevelopment of the site and “totally unacceptable”, while councillor Kimberley Williams said it was “wholly unreasonable” to have a solid building wall one metre from property boundaries.

Lorries would enter the delivery yard at the store from Garrison Lane, through what is currently a business selling sheds and cabins, and leave directly onto High Road West just a few yards from the traffic lights.

Mr Deacon said: “I am absolutely appalled – it is horrendous and I cannot understand the mentality of anyone proposing such movements at a traffic light junction.”

In reports presented to councillors, Albourne Property said a series of discussions had taken place with district and county councils in the preparation of its plans. The scheme would bring up to 300 jobs and extra business for the town centre, removing the need for people to travel to superstores on the Ipswich fringe.