Villagers close to a proposed 1,250-home development on the outskirts of Sudbury are being urged to have their say about how it might impact on surrounding narrow county lanes.

Initial plans for the long-awaited 270-acre Chilton Woods scheme, which is one of Suffolk’s key sites for delivering vital additional housing and employment over the next 20 years, are expected to be revealed by the county council at the end of this month.

As the major landowner, the local authority has pledged to invest £1.6million in the scheme to get it back on track without a developer in place.

A county spokesman said public consultation on the latest concept plans is expected to start at the end of the month.

People will be able to view information and comment via the county council’s website or at drop in sessions in the local area.

In the meantime, people living in Acton – which borders the development site – have been sent a letter by the parish council encouraging them to take a positive interest in what is proposed and in particular, traffic management.

In the letter, it said: “The parish council has been told that 25% of traffic from Chilton Woods is likely to be travelling in the Bury St Edmunds direction. Housing will be built northwards from Sudbury almost to Newmans Green.

“It seems likely that Acton Lane/Sudbury Road leading up to the crown will become a ‘rat run’ to the Melford bypass.”

Previous developers have suggested Sudbury Road could be closed to traffic except for buses and emergency vehicles.