Firefighters have tonight tackled a blaze at a former industrial site at the centre of a controversial bid to build 300 new homes which sparked fears in a Suffolk village.
Five fire engines were called to the garage inferno at the height of the blaze at the former Wardle Storeys site in Brantham at 5pm today.
Flames which had engulfed the derelict 10m by 30m building, which had an asbestos roof, in Factory Lane were put out by 7.20pm.
Firefighters remain on scene damping down.
Planning chiefs at Babergh District Council (BDC) are considering altering their building blueprint at the site after landowners St Francis Group submitted redevelopment plans.
It is understood the group, which bought the 99 acre (40 hectare) land in 2007, wants to develop the land to allow 300 homes to be built on both brownfield and greenfield sites.
The move provoked widespread outrage amid fears it would have a “huge impact” on the village.
Residents are set for a showdown meeting with the council over the plans on Wednesday.
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