DEVELOPERS have resubmitted proposals to build a number of business units on a redundant factory site.

Craig Robinson

DEVELOPERS have resubmitted proposals to build a number of business units on a redundant factory site.

A decision on the old Girdlestone pump suppliers' engineering works in Station Road, Melton, near Woodbridge, was deferred in November to allow Riduna Holdings Ltd time to go back to the drawing board.

Members of Suffolk Coastal District Council's South Area Development Control Sub-Committee wanted to see the buildings reduced in height, while there were also a number of technical matters that needed to be resolved.

The applicants have now handed in revised plans for a two storey development that includes offices, workshops, a caf� and a shop.

The overall floor space has also been reduced from 10,456 square metres to 8,626 sq m, while the number of car parking spaces has been cut from 303 to 275.

Campaigners opposed to the original project believed the scheme was an over development and among other concerns feared it would lead to an increase in traffic and create an adverse visual impact.

The Girdlestone Action Group (GAG) and Melton Parish Council have teamed up with Ash Sakula architects - who were behind the plans for the new Adnams building in Southwold - to see if they can join the former factory development with a neighbouring site.

Martin Whitaker, vice chairman of GAG, said the group have arranged a meeting for February 4 at which their proposals will be unveiled.

“We have written to the district council to ask them to meet with us and discuss a constructive way forward however so far we have not had a reply,” he said. “We continue to maintain the proposed scheme is a gross over development and the design isn't in keeping with a village location.”

A spokesman for Suffolk Coastal said the district council would be happy to consider any fresh plans for the site but it was up to landowners Riduna Holdings to accept any new scheme.

n To view the revised plans visit www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/devcontrol/applications/girdlestones. To comment email d.c.admin@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk by February 8, including the application reference C/09/0584, your name, address, comments and reason for interest.