OFFICIALS have responded to public outcry and today decided the meeting to agree where 1,700 new homes should be built at Felixstowe will be held in the seaside town.

OFFICIALS have responded to public outcry and today decided the meeting to agree where 1,700 new homes should be built at Felixstowe will be held in the seaside town.

It had been intended to hold the meeting in Woodbridge - but that prompted complaints from objectors and town councillors.

Principal planning officer for policy at Suffolk Coastal, Hilary Hanslip said two meetings of the Local Development Framework (LDF) task group would be held.

On Monday July 28 at the Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road, Woodbridge, councillors will consider responses relating specifically to housing to the east of Ipswich, and on Monday August 4 at the Hotel Elizabeth Orwell, Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, they will look at sites in Felixstowe/Walton and the Trimley villages.

Both meetings are due to start at 9.30am.

“Given the scale of interest this consultation has generated, with over 2,000 responses, it has been agreed to allow public speaking at these two meetings in a similar style to that which has worked successfully at the council's development control committee meetings,” she said.

“Those invited to speak will be agents/or landowners; local town and parish councils and local ward district councillors.

“In addition, a spokesperson representing the general public will also have the opportunity to speak in relation to each of the options.

“Individual speaking will be limited to three minutes and there may be questions from councillors following each presentation.”

All the proposed areas for housing have generated protests, particularly suggestions to build in the countryside north of Felixstowe.

Consultants employed by the council said this area - which it is feared will be Suffolk Coastal's preferred option - should be kept as greenbelt for recreation and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty extended to protect it.

Ken Ferris, spokesman for the Save Felixstowe Countryside group, said it was essential the decision meeting was held in the town.

“So far we have not seen democracy at all - 200 people were locked out of the last meeting we had and there has not been enough publicity about these proposals, which will wreck the countryside on the edge of our town. This meeting must be held in Felixstowe so that people can attend and hear the debate,” he said.

Where should the new homes be built at Felixstowe? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk