EXPANSION of a Woodbridge garden centre has today had a hurdle placed in its way by planners.But they are not rejecting the scheme outright, instead they are suggesting a number of alterations to the plans.

EXPANSION of a Woodbridge garden centre has today had a hurdle placed in its way by planners.

But they are not rejecting the scheme outright, instead they are suggesting a number of alterations to the plans.

This will not please the 360-plus people who wrote to the council to object to the development of Notcutts' Ipswich Road site.

The controversial plans would see expansion of the existing garden centre and car park, construction of a new medical centre, up to 24 units of housing and a sheltered housing development.

Concerns have been expressed by a number of local authorities who believe the development will destroy the character of the Woodbridge Conservation Area, increase traffic, and detract business from the centre of the town.

The Highways Authority has expressed particular concern about the proposed access to the site and has asked for time to draw up more detailed proposals with the applicant.

In their report to the development control committee, planning officers from Suffolk coastal district council said that, at present, the application could not be supported.

They said: "The scale and footprint of development needs to be reduced, there needs to be more care and attention to retaining and giving adequate space for future growth and additional reinforcement of landscape features, and more detail needs to be provided in respect of certain key development options."

They list their main reasons for this as the lack of affordable housing, damage to the character of a conservation area, and the impact on the historic parkland.

Councillors are recommended to reject the plan, but refer it back to the applicants so that revisions can be made.

The decision will be made at a meeting of Suffolk coastal's south area development control sub-committee on February 5.