Plans for a development of five detached homes in a Suffolk town are still awaiting a decision more than a year after the proposals were re-submitted to the council.

Original plans to build the two storey, four-bedroom properties on open land off Beech Way in Woodbridge were withdrawn because of concerns about the ecological impact.

Planning officers asked for more investigations - including surveys of reptiles, bat roosts, water voles and breeding birds on the land, along with ecological and transport statements.

READ MORE: Woodbridge: 5 new family homes with river views proposed

However, one year on a decision appears to have stalled amid apparent ongoing arguments about the impact on an area that sits within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The Deben Estuary is also protected nationally as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its wading bird, wildfowl and saltmarsh communities.

Responding as a consultee on the plans, Woodbridge Town Council said its planning committee had recommended the plans for refusal.

The council was particularly worried about the effect on species of Turtle Dove, Water Vole and House Sparrow found in the area.

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In consultation, the council said: "We also remain concerned about the effect of light pollution on the nearby Suffolk Coasts and Heaths AONB and the River Deben SSSI, as the proposed properties are in clear line of sight from the river path and beyond with large windows facing
that direction."

The plans have been submitted by developer Julian Kingston-Smith, working with town planning and development consultants JT Hancock and Associates.  

The consultants have described the revised proposals for five family homes as "modest" in scale on land - just under an acre - currently mostly grass with some shrubs.

Historically, the site was orchards and it is proposed to plant a new orchard north-west of the site.

They add that the development is close to local schools and facilities with Woodbridge town centre within easy walking distance. 

READ MORE: Suffolk news