MORE than 100 households have voted against turning a redundant riverside boatyard in Woodbridge into luxury housing.The River Deben Association decided that the future of the Whisstocks boatyard was such an important issue that it conducted a referendum.

MORE than 100 households have voted against turning a redundant riverside boatyard in Woodbridge into luxury housing.

The River Deben Association decided that the future of the Whisstocks boatyard was such an important issue that it conducted a referendum.

Anni Healey, one of the committee members, presented an argument in the Association newsletter against the housing scheme submitted by Michael Howard Homes and members were asked to vote after reading them.

Mrs Healey described the housing scheme as looking like "Disneyland" and she said a privileged few people would have a privileged view.

Votes are still coming in but Denzil Cowdry, Association chairman, announced that 101 households had voted against the scheme.

Twenty three households were in favour of housing but some had qualified their support and said they wanted public access from the Whisstocks slipway to boats, a public toilet, and that part of the boatyard should be a public open space.

Michael Howard Homes wants to demolish the empty buildings and replace them with housing. There would also be a two-storey building with ground-floor garages and offices above. Suffolk Coastal District Council has refused permission and there will be a public inquiry on November 19.

The Woodbridge Society wants the district council to prepare a planning brief for the north bank of the river from Robertson's Yard to either Everson's or Kyson Point.

The Society's vision includes river-related services for boats, a restaurant/café, toilets, showers, wash and drying rooms for visiting yachtsmen, and an attractive landscape for the public with seating and picnic places.