WORRIED villagers have been granted a stay of execution in their fight to stop a poultry processing plant more than double its size.Members of Mid Suffolk District Council's planning committee deferred a decision on plans by JW Diaper & Sons to extend its factory in Haughley New Street, near Stowmarket, pending a visit to inspect the site under discussion.

WORRIED villagers have been granted a stay of execution in their fight to stop a poultry processing plant more than double its size.

Members of Mid Suffolk District Council's planning committee deferred a decision on plans by JW Diaper & Sons to extend its factory in Haughley New Street, near Stowmarket, pending a visit to inspect the site under discussion.

The decision on the plans – which have been recommended by planning officers for approval, subject to conditions – will now be made on January 16.

Some residents fear it would lead to noise, smells and an increase in traffic passing their homes.

Campaigners particularly hope the committee will recognise their concerns that extra HGV traffic would pose an "extreme danger" as lorries would be forced to reverse into the site, blocking the road to traffic passing through the village.

John Lloyd, one of the residents leading opposition to the planned expansion said the move to visit the site was "a step in the right direction".

"Diapers say that their current plans would not involve more traffic but we're looking to the future and the potential is there to increase [HGV traffic]."

Wetherden, Woolpit and Elmswell Parish Councils have all objected to, or raised concerns, about the

proposal.

Haughley Parish Council however has not objected. Other residents say JW Diaper and Sons, which was founded in 1911, is a well-established family firm that could cease trading if it wasn't modernised.

J W Diaper and Sons said it did not believe there would be significant changes to the amount of traffic

on the road.