RESIDENTS are fuming after the go-ahead was given for 12 new affordable homes in Kirton - even though the community vehemently objected to the project.

RESIDENTS are fuming after the go-ahead was given for 12 new affordable homes in Kirton - even though the community vehemently objected to the project.

People in Weir Place say there is no need for the homes because there is no demand, and fear the sewage system cannot cope and there will be more flooding and drainage problems.

In addition, narrow Park Lane - the only access to Weir Place - is already very busy with farm lorries and cars and adding more vehicles would exacerbate the situation.

Resident Barry Bates said: “The water drainage and sewage situation is beyond a joke - on loads of occasions there has been roads flooded or drains blocked because the area is servicing too many homes already.

“To add another 12 dwellings with possibly 36 extra people is sheer craziness.”

Park Lane is only 11ft wide and there is often congestion or near misses. Residents said a traffic survey should have been done.

Len Lanigan, of Park Lane Cottages, said “By casually dismissing the concerns of both the parish council and numerous residents, Suffolk Coastal seem to be implying that we are all making it up - that we raise these concerns out of a sense of mischief or boredom or for some other reason - rather than our conviction, based on many years of experience, that it is a question of when, rather than whether, a serious accident occurs.”

Parish councillors believe occupants of the homes will not come from the village and say sheltered homes for elderly people in the village, freeing up other homes for the children of people already living in the area, are needed.

Suffolk Coastal officers said a survey in the village in 2002 showed 28 households requiring rented accommodation and 32 shared ownership homes. Only two households requested sheltered housing.

A spokeswoman for Flagship Housing Group said they had been working in partnership with Suffolk Coastal to provide an affordable housing scheme in Kirton where a need has been identified for a mix of houses and bungalows.

She said: “We can confirm that the layout has changed due to comments from the highways agency and planning control. All residents were written to by Suffolk Coastal and so had an opportunity to view the plans and make comments.”

Do you think there is a need for more homes in Kirton? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk