CONCERNS were raised today over proposals to build more than 1,000 homes on Ipswich's northern fringe.

CONCERNS were raised today over proposals to build more than 1,000 homes on Ipswich's northern fringe.

Public exhibitions have now been held to enable people to take a look at the development on the land between Westerfield Road and Henley Road.

The plans by Mersea Homes are for 1,085 new homes, a new primary school, open space for recreation use, new shops and cycle ways and pedestrian routes.

Any feedback received will be evaluated before a planning application is submitted in the coming months.

If approved, construction would start until the end of 2010, with the first people in by 2011. All the houses would be built by 2021.

A nearby resident, Mike Rogers, said: “I don't think Ipswich has the transport infrastructure in place for such a massive development. The roads will not be able to cope. Residents had always been promised that this development wouldn't happen until the northern bypass was built - there is no sign of a bypass and yet they are planning this.”

Steven Wells, Ipswich Borough's councillor for housing services, added: “The Executive's recommendation is that we want hard evidence to justify that amount of properties that the Regional Assembly want us to build. They are saying thousands more need to be built by 2021.

“If these properties are needed, who are they needed by when we have already got empty properties in Ipswich?

“The problem is residents do not tell anyone their thoughts on developments like these and so we don't get to know their views. If they want their voice to be heard, they have got to say something.”

This proposed development comes hot on the heels of more plans for houses in north Ipswich. Ipswich School has launched a �15m bid for a new sports park. It aims to get planning permission for its playing fields just off Valley Road to build 300 houses on the land and then offload this onto a developer. The money from this sale would then go towards funding the school's new facilities to be constructed a mile away in Tuddenham Road.

To comment on the Henley Road and Westerfield Road development, send your views to Green Issues Communications, Freepost NAT22750, Reading, RG1 4BR, or e-mail post@greenissues.com, or send a fax on 0207 152 4122.

Do you think there are too many houses proposed for Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk