Fury over allotment housing
FURIOUS residents were today rallying together to fight moves to build new homes on a former allotment site in Stowmarket.Dozens of people in Bridge Street and Takers Lane, where the development is proposed, have signed a petition against the plans.
FURIOUS residents were today rallying together to fight moves to build new homes on a former allotment site in Stowmarket.
Dozens of people in Bridge Street and Takers Lane, where the development is proposed, have signed a petition against the plans.
It would see 18 semi-detached houses built on the site, ranging in size between two and three bedrooms.
But many residents are opposed to the development on the former allotment land, arguing the road is too narrow to cope with extra vehicles.
Concern has also been expressed about the clearance of the site and the impact it has had on wildlife in the area.
George Shave, 84, has been living in Takers Lane since he was two months old.
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He said he is worried about the area's tranquil surroundings being shattered by the development.
"It's a nice quiet area at the moment and I like it like this," he said.
"I would much rather the houses aren't built and it's a shame they've got rid of the wildlife on the land.
"There used to be hundreds of bird nests in the trees on the site, but now they're all gone."
Reginald Oxford, 79, of Takers Lane, said: "This is a one-way road in places and I don't think it can cope with any extra vehicles.
"I think the whole thing is terrible. There was loads of wildlife on the site before they cleared it.
"We weren't even told they were going to do it."
Anne Harris, 60, of nearby Semer Close, added: "When you think of all the derelict properties in Stowmarket, there must be other sites they can use up first.
"But instead of that, they're eating up our countryside."
Stowmarket Town Council and Maitland Homes, of Needham Market, have submitted a joint bid to gain planning permission for the development.
The town council land is being sold to the developers for "substantial" sum, subject to the plan being given the go-ahead.
A decision on the plans is set to be made within eight weeks.
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