FELIXSTOWE is today “going for growth” - following a decision to build more than 3,400 new homes in the resort and the twin Trimley villages.But the decision has angered villagers, who fear greenfield sites will be developed sooner rather than later.

FELIXSTOWE is today “going for growth” - following a decision to build more than 3,400 new homes in the resort and the twin Trimley villages.

But the decision has angered villagers, who fear greenfield sites will be developed sooner rather than later.

They had hoped precious fields in and around Trimley St Martin and Trimley St Mary would not be built on for 15 to 20 years and by then may not have been needed at all.

But indications are now the Greenfield sites could be taken in the first phase of the expansion of the area.

Suffolk Coastal councillors were asked to decide how they will provide more than 11,000 new homes in the area by 2021 and have decided to pursue an option called “going for managed growth”.

This will mean 3,430 homes in Felixstowe and the Trimleys, an increase of 26 per cent in the housing stock.

Some sites already have planning permission or have been identified as suitable for housing, but land will have to be found for 2,720 new homes.

There will also be 3,800 new homes on the Ipswich eastern fringe, of which 1,500 will be on land yet to be identified.

A report by district planners said the homes were needed because 8,000 new jobs were likely to be provided in the district.

However, the types of homes to be built would depend on the outcome of the housing needs survey currently under way, though there would be a need for affordable homes and shared ownership schemes to help youngsters unable to pay big mortgages to get on the housing ladder.

Trimley St Mary parish councillor Carl Storer said: “It would be absolutely ridiculous to use greenfield sites for housing and we need to keep pressing very firmly for what Trimley wants and needs.”

The Save Trimley Against Growth (STAG) group was currently preparing a document against the development proposals.

Trimley St Martin Parish Council is also studying the proposals and vice chairman John Barker has said ideas being put forward “would drastically change the character of the village of Trimley St Martin and its surrounding countryside, which include an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.

Consultants warned in the masterplan for Felixstowe's future that it needed 1,700 homes just to stand still because of falling birth rates, young people leaving, and smaller households. They said 3,000 new homes would be needed to give it a bright future

Suffolk Coastal expects to publish before the end of the year a land options report which will contain all the sites so far suggested by landowners, farmers, developers and parish councils, and residents will be allowed to have their say.

WEBLINK: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

www.trimley-st.martin.org.uk

www.trimley-st-mary.org.uk

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