VILLAGERS who fear their community could be turned into a "new town" are gearing up for the first chance to air their views to those who matter.Parish councillors in Trimley St Martin are staging a public meeting tomorrow to help them gauge public opinion – though most people are making it plain they are firmly against the plans.

VILLAGERS who fear their community could be turned into a "new town" are gearing up for the first chance to air their views to those who matter.

Parish councillors in Trimley St Martin are staging a public meeting tomorrow to help them gauge public opinion – though most people are making it plain they are firmly against the plans.

Landowners Trinity College, Cambridge, have submitted a vision for the future of the Trimley villages and Walton which could see 3,000 homes built.

The proposals envisage using all the fields and open space between the A14 and Felixstowe-Ipswich railway line for development, creating greens and village centres, industrial area and homes.

But the ideas – which would not take place for around 15 to 20 years – have caused uproar.

At the public meeting, which takes place at the Memorial Hall, High Road, Trimley St Martin, at 7.30pm, a panel of councillors and representatives of Trinity College's agents, Bidwells, will hear views and answer questions.

Tim Collins, partner in Bidwells, said: "I will be bringing along a team so that hopefully we will be able to answer people questions and concerns.

"If there is a question on traffic, I will have someone who can answer that question, and so on.

"We are keen to debate with people and hear their views. We appreciate that many people will not like the vision, some may like parts and not others, but there is a long way to go and it is important it is debated fully."

Bidwells has stressed that the ideas are not set in stone and admit that at present they do not include as much detail as people would like to see, but the idea is to discuss the future and look at how comprehensive, rather than piecemeal, development might be achieved.

The meeting is the first of two this week. STAG – Save Trimley Against Growth – will also hold its meeting on Friday September 19 at 7.30pm at the Welcome Hall, High Road, Trimley St Mary. Bidwells has not been invited to attend.

The group fears property prices would slump, crime and vandalism increase as a result of urbanisation, plus more pressure on the emergency services, more air and noise pollution, health services locally not able to cope, and traffic increase.

Representatives of Bidwells have had their first meeting with Suffolk Coastal council to present the vision and expect to have further meetings soon.

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