FEELINGS were running high today among residents in south west Ipswich as uncertainty remained over the construction of a new supermarket and a new planning application was being considered.

FEELINGS were running high today among residents in south west Ipswich as uncertainty remained over the construction of a new supermarket and a new planning application was being considered.

The application, for 40 private apartments in one block and eight for social housing in another, is being proposed as part of a multi-million pound development on Stoke Park Drive to build a new Asda superstore.

Residents have become increasingly frustrated over the new supermarket, which was originally due to be completed in November.

Work stopped abruptly in April and is not due to start again until January next year.

In the meantime residents have complained that they are unable to get to the medical centre at the other end of the Stoke Park site, with elderly and vulnerable residents relying on a ferrying service being organised by St Peter's Church in Stoke Park Drive and volunteers from the local community.

Anne Roberts, from St Peter's Church, said: “People are having problems getting to the doctor's surgery on Lanercost Road, we use to have a way through that went from the shops through to the back of the surgery which was used by everyone but now we all have to come the long way round.

“An awful lot of people are affected by this all over Stoke Park so if we can we'll drive people over there to visit the surgery or pick up their prescriptions.

“It's a real inconvenience which won't go away until the new store is finally finished, which seems a long way off.”

Now a new planning application has been announced which will see part of the planning agreement between Asda and Ipswich Borough Council finally get under way.

Many residents, however, feel that the proposed four storey building is too big for the area.

Ian Barfield, resident of Abottsbury Close, said: “Asda got the original agreement on the grounds of the development being three storeys so I don't think they should be able to change it to four now. The building will be far too high for the area.”

Richard Kirby, an Ipswich borough councillor, said he had public safety concerns over the application.

He said: “No CCTV facilities are mentioned in the application. These were previously to be considered and the history of this site, and the attraction of a 7am to 10pm Asda store, make this a key requirement.”

Asda was unavailable for comment.

Have you been affected by the ASDA development? What do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

Did you know?

PLANS for the Asda store can view the new plans in the customer service centre at Ipswich town hall or on the internet via Ipswich Borough Council's website by clicking on planning and looking for planning application 07/00827.

Residents have until October 10 to write in their comments.