CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new park and ride site on the junction of the A12 and A1214 at Martlesham were approved today.Suffolk County Council's development control sub-committee approved the application despite opposition from local communities.

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new park and ride site on the junction of the A12 and A1214 at Martlesham were approved today.

Suffolk County Council's development control sub-committee approved the application despite opposition from local communities.

Local parish and town councils had opposed the development, fearing it would ruin countryside and create extra danger on the busy roundabout.

However council officers argued the park and ride centre was vital to help reduce the number of cars heading into Ipswich from the north east of the town.