COMMUNITY representatives have spoken of their fears over the controversial Northern Fringe development.

Homeowners from Westerfield with concerns about drainage and flooding spoke out at a public meeting held by Ipswich Borough Council, where the plans to build 3,500 homes over a 20- year period were discussed.

Issues raised included traffic concerns, bus lanes and a lack of green spaces in the southern part of the development.

One resident questioned whether the borough council was doing anything to ensure that drainage and water run-off from the new development would not cause the ditches near Lower Road in Westerfield to flood.

Steve Miller, the borough’s town planning manager, said developers would be working alongside Anglian Water to ensure that the current water run-off did not increase.

A spokesman for Anglian Water said they were aware of the plans and were working with the borough council to understand the needs of the development. He said their other main concern was to ensure that current customers were not affected.

Peter Miller, chairman of Westerfield Parish Council, said concerns about drainage were among numerous worries for residents.

He said: “I think people also have concerns over traffic because of the amount of congestion that will be moving along Valley Road, which could then lead to people using Westerfield as a rat run.

“We were also very concerned that the plans would swallow Westerfield up as a village. The fact that the options show a country park between the build and Westerfield will hopefully ensure this doesn’t happen though.”