Plans for almost 10 homes in a Suffolk village have been refused for the second time after concerns were raised over sustainability and safety. 

Applicant Mrs E Elliot-Wilson, of Home Farm in Assington, submitted an application for outline planning permission for nine homes on land adjacent to Assington Road in Newton, near Sudbury, to Babergh District Council in November. 

The plans, which included four affordable homes, were for an area of agricultural land and included a new access route and parking spaces for each home. 

However, the parish council raised concerns over the site, including the safety of the access road for pedestrians and the location and layout of the site which they said would 'erode the rural character'. 

Last week, Babergh District Council refused the plans on the basis that, amongst other things, the proposal was not considered to be sustainably located as it is outside the settlement boundary for the village, and insufficient information was given on the safety and suitability if the access for highway users.

A previous application for nine homes at the site was refused on June 6, 2023.