VILLAGERS have voiced major concern about the impact a new holiday camp will have on their community, which is already under severe strain from visitors.

VILLAGERS have voiced major concern about the impact a new holiday camp will have on their community, which is already under severe strain from visitors.

People in Waldringfield say their riverside village is already deluged with daytrippers, and cannot take any more – there is no public parking, not enough toilets, the beach is too narrow, and its 550 residents are suffering.

Other communities in the area – including Newbourne and Hemley – are also very concerned about the plan to build 122 log cabins on a 22-acre arable field at Foxburrow Farm in Brightwell.

Suffolk Coastal's south area development control sub committee is to visit the area before making a final decision but it has been recommended for approval by planning officers.

Councillor Veronica Falconer said the project would harm the area's social and economic wellbeing and "destroy sweeping views of arable fields and heathland".

There was no shop, play area or entertainment planned on site and so people would have to travel to find these – perhaps creating 700 car movements a day.

People walking to and from the Newbourne Fox or Maybush at Waldringfield for meals would be "dicing with death" as cars tore along the road.

She said Waldringfield in particular was already under great strain in summer with no formal public parking or adequate supply of toilets, a narrow beach only at low tide, and powerboats eroding the river banks.

But consultant Neil Ward, acting for the developers, said all levels of government were in favour of increasing tourism accommodation.

He said traffic would not be a major problem as it would be spread out throughout the day and not concentrated at peak times.

The Moon and Sixpence caravan site nearby was much larger than the proposed log cabin camp and did not cause any traffic problems in the area.

A minibus would be provided to take people to and from activities, and cycling and walking would be encouraged.

Mr Ward said landscaping of the site would be done first and the cabins would be built over a period of six years and not appear overnight.

The Suffolk Preservation Society, Suffolk Coast and Heaths Unit and River Deben Association have all voiced concerns, and nearly 50 letters of objection have been received from residents.

Do you think the area – which already has five caravan sites – needs another holiday development? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk