A LARGE estate of ''affordable housing'' for people on a waiting list was refused permission yesterday.Suffolk Coastal District Council threw out the plans submitted by Suffolk Heritage Housing Association to build 33 houses and flats on land off Haugh Lane, Woodbridge.

By Richard Smith

A LARGE estate of ''affordable housing'' for people on a waiting list was refused permission yesterday.

Suffolk Coastal District Council threw out the plans submitted by Suffolk Heritage Housing Association to build 33 houses and flats on land off Haugh Lane, Woodbridge.

Councillors on the development control sub-committee argued the density was too great, the access awkward, there was a loss of amenity and there were unresolved issues of surface water drainage.

Lena Taylor, chairman of Residents Against Haugh Lane Development Association, told councillors: ''We agree the town needs more low cost homes, particularly if they are for Woodbridge people on the housing list. But even where developments are necessary for the greater good, they need to be properly controlled.

''We don't accept that in building social housing, everyone involved, including both existing residents and future tenants, should be deprived of the protection of the normal planning regulation. That may be the way to build more houses, but it is not the way to build communities.

''We who live around this site are not those who are pushing house prices beyond the reach of local people. Indeed, some of us live in social housing. We are just ordinary working people who, because of our local knowledge, can see the problems involved in developing this site.''

Mrs Taylor said the proposed density of 33 homes on a hectare was ''completely out of keeping with the surrounding area'' and she said bungalows in Woolnough Road would be overlooked.

After the council's decision Mrs Taylor said: ''I am delighted that they have listened to the concerns of local residents who understand what the problems are, and obviously we are grateful for the support we have had from local councillors who know the site.''

The £3m scheme for housing on land formerly occupied by allotments has been on the drawing board for many months. A planning application was first submitted in spring last year and the district council postponed making a decision while further information was required about the impact of the housing.