SUFFOLK Coastal MP John Gummer today admitted to being sceptical about proposals to build thousands of new homes in the twin Trimley villages.But he will not dismiss the project until he has heard all sides of the debate and as many views as possible – and is to meet representatives of Trinity College, Cambridge, to hear the details and walk the land in question.

SUFFOLK Coastal MP John Gummer today admitted to being sceptical about proposals to build thousands of new homes in the twin Trimley villages.

But he will not dismiss the project until he has heard all sides of the debate and as many views as possible – and is to meet representatives of Trinity College, Cambridge, to hear the details and walk the land in question.

"I am very sceptical but I am not going to reject it out of hand because I think we need to look at it seriously, find out what it's about and listen to people's views," said Mr Gummer.

"It is a complex matter and there are some very real and big questions to answer about the development suggested and lots of different views on it with people unhappy about different things, some of them unhappy about the whole idea.

"I plan to meet with Bidwells' representatives next month and then to speak to the parish councils and other people to see how we ought to progress the discussions so we can come to a reasonable view.

"I am trying very hard to see that we can proceed at a sensible pace and in a sensible way.

"It may be at the end of this that we feel that any further development is inappropriate. I can also imagine that it may be felt that some development is appropriate. We need to keep an open-mind at this stage."

Trinity College's vision would see all the fields and open space between the A14 and Felixstowe-Ipswich railway line used for greens and village centres, an industrial area and as many as 3,000 new homes.

Mr Gummer said people's instinctive reaction would be that the Trimleys were already large enough.

"I understand that reaction and I suppose that's my immediate reaction because this area has already been developed in a very significant way," he said.

"I have been very worried about the likelihood in the future that Ipswich will reach down to Felixstowe and that whole corridor needs very great defence. I have been opposed to development in almost every case and fought for the need to protect that corridor."

The new proposals though were a slightly different issue which needed thorough investigation. Some people might argue that the vision would "complete" the villages and provide much-needed new services, while others would fear urban sprawl which would ruin the area.

Bidwells want to hear all views on the proposals and say the ideas are not detailed at this stage and not set in stone.

WEBLINKS: www.savetrimley.co.uk

www.trimley-vision.co.uk

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