A CAMPAIGNER opposed to a scheme to remove scrub and gorse from Suffolk's oldest heathland has urged others to speak-up and back his fight.

A CAMPAIGNER opposed to a scheme to remove scrub and gorse from Suffolk's oldest heathland has urged others to speak-up and back his fight.

Roy Sheeran fears the proposals for Rushmere Common in east Ipswich, will ruin the historic countryside.

He claims many residents are unaware of the plans and is urging people living nearby to make their voices heard.

The proposals - which have been backed by Suffolk Coastal District Council, Natural England and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust - have been put forward by the Trustees of Rushmere Common.

Mr Sheeran, who lives close to the heath in Humber Doucy Lane, is a former member of the group and has now called on them to hold an extraordinary meeting.

He said: “I have not come across anybody yet who agrees with what they have been reading. Rushmere Common is owned by all the people who reside in the Parish of Rushmere - thousands of people could have their say.

“The commoners need to be consulted for such a large project, so we must ask the committee to arrange an extraordinary meeting to explain why the present common is 'unattractive'.”

The Trustees of Rushmere Common want to restore the countryside to its traditional landscape and remove overgrown bushes and trees from the centre of the heath and claim any impact will be minimal.

Chairman Don Ayre added: “The proposals we have for the common have been discussed at annual general meetings in 2007 and this year - the opportunity has been there to show interest but regrettably we don't always get the number of people there we would like.”

He said leaflets have been sent out to residents as well as to people using the land.