CAMPAIGNERS fighting to stop hundreds of new homes being built in the twin Trimley villages have today been given a big boost - with news that the area may not be “going for growth” after all.

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to stop hundreds of new homes being built in the twin Trimley villages have today been given a big boost - with news that the area may not be “going for growth” after all.

Councillors had agreed to build more than 3,400 new homes in the Felixstowe area over the next 20 years.

They were set to present this - their “preferred option” - to the public, but will now have to do more public consultation.

Instead, Suffolk Coastal's cabinet will draw up a number of options for residents to comment on over where homes should be built in the district, rather than just one option.

Campaigners in Trimley St Mary and Trimley St Martin are now hoping to put forward a case showing why the homes are not needed and should not be built in the villages.

Cabinet member Andy Smith said inspectors had recently rejected a number of Local Development Frameworks - new area policy plans - submitted by other authorities and requested that greater public consultation on options take place.

A report outlining options for growth would be presented to cabinet at its meeting on December 5.

Cabinet member Sherrie Green, councillor for the Trimleys, said she was “very pleased” and people in the villages would be, too.

She said: “The council cannot make decisions without this going out for discussion with the community.

“Any decision has now been delayed until well into 2007 so we have a reprieve which we must work within to have another option chosen by the majority of the local people.”

Suffolk Coastal councillors have been asked to provide more than 11,000 new homes in the area by 2021.

Councillors say new homes are needed because of new jobs to be generated at Felixstowe port, but also because of falling birth rates, young people leaving the area, and smaller households.

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

WEBLINK: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

www.trimley-st.martin.org.uk

www.trimley-st-mary.org.uk