MOVES to build a new road and housing development is causing a furore in one of the region's towns, with scores of angry residents forming an action group to fight it.

MOVES to build a new road and housing development is causing a furore in one of the region's towns, with scores of angry residents forming an action group to fight it.

Mid Suffolk District Council is currently considering a planning application for six semi-detached houses and a block of five flats on waste ground at the end of School Street in Needham Market.

But residents fear the access road from School Street to Chainhouse Road could create a complete circuit for speeding motorists and motorcyclists, worsening an existing problem.

Residents argue they already have problems with boy racers on School Street, the High Street and Chainhouse Road in the town.

A meeting of concerned residents attracted more than 50 people in the community centre last week and an action group was formed. A petition has also been started.

Mike Peters, a High Street resident who is chairman of the group, said: "We have lots of problems with boy racers, motorcyclists whizzing around.

"People are pretty fed up with it. These idiots will cruise round at all hours.''

Campaigners feel there will be a real risk to those elderly people using the community centre in the area and school children.

Needham Market Town Council has only narrowly supported the project, by six votes to five at a recent meeting.

The company hoping to create the development and road, V A Marriott of Ipswich, declined to comment on the development and residents concerns over the road yesterday. Their agents, J Hancock Associates of Ipswich, were unavailable.

A spokeswoman for Mid Suffolk District Council said officers might decide the planning application by the end of the month, but if it proves contentious may need to go before councillors for debate.