ALMOST 60 new holiday lodges are set to be built at a major tourist attraction in the heart of the county in a move that will provide an economic boost to local communities.

ALMOST 60 new holiday lodges are set to be built at a major tourist attraction in the heart of the county in a move that will provide an economic boost to local communities.

Mid Suffolk district councillors, meeting at their Needham Market chambers voted to grant permission for caravans to be installed at Stonham Barns Caravan and Camping Park on the A1120 at Stonham Aspal, near Stowmarket.

They would be built to look like timber lodges, will be permanent tourist accommodation and the development will include a new toilet, shower block and the continued use of a field for touring caravan owners.

Thousands of people already visit Stonham Barns which is home to the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, golf, craft shops, a garden centre and large tea room.

Tim Passmore, leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “This is a major boost to the tourist industry in our area, which always very welcome in mid Suffolk. I hope this flourishes.

“The amount of money this will bring into the county and locally will be very beneficial. The economy will gain and it will help put mid Suffolk firmly on the map as a tourist destination.

“This site is on the A1120 tourist route and there will be new jobs with this I am sure, which is very welcome at this difficult economic time. This has got to be great news and I am sure local residents concerns will be addressed.”

But some villagers were unhappy and fear it will be an excessive overdevelopment in their community and will lead to noise, traffic, road safety issues, pollution and vandalism. They believe there is inadequate parking and that this project may just be the beginning, with further development later.

John Matthissen, a Green district councillor on the planning committee, voted against the project, fearing it will be too large.

He said: “Each of these chalets are two caravans bolted together so this is a large holiday village. I am worried there will be lots of cars coming into this. And I am concerned about flooding in the area, I know there have been problems locally. This is an overdevelopment.”

The planning committee voted in favour, subject to a legal agreement being signed within three months to ensure the accommodation is used only for holidaymakers and does not become a residential site.