CAMPAIGNERS are breathing a sigh of relief after controversial plans for a giant warehouse close to two villages were withdrawn.

Garden specialists Notcutts had handed an application to Suffolk Coastal District Council for permission to build a 10,000 sq metre distribution centre on a nursery site in Yarmouth Road between Ufford and Melton, near Woodbridge.

Bosses said the proposals were in keeping with the local area and vital for their business but local residents voiced concerns.

Campaigners from Ufford Action Group (UAG) and representatives from both parish councils felt the scheme was an overdevelopment, would lead to a daily increase in HGV movements and contravene a number of planning policies.

The district council also received more than 250 letters of objection.

John Skinner, spokesman for UAG, said: “The proposal flew in the face of a raft of both local and national planning policies. We are delighted that sense has prevailed.

“We are fortunate to have energetic and well-informed people in our villages and on our parish councils so that, with advice from experienced consultants, we are able to help prevent such an inappropriate scheme going through.”

David Chenery, vice-chairman of Ufford Parish Council, continued: “The application was totally out of place. It would have had a damaging impact on our villages and residents.

“Notcutts are renowned for the quality of their plants, but this warehouse would have stored and distributed garden furniture and other imported goods, not plants.

“The parish councils, the action group and local residents all came together to show the strength of their objections and are prepared to fight any further threats to the quality of their villages.”

Geof Butterwick, chairman of planning at Melton Parish Council, also welcomed the news and said the last thing residents wanted was more heavy lorries on a narrow main street and busy A1152.

Last night William Notcutt, deputy chairman of Notcutts, said the decision was taken to withdraw the application in response to the strength of local feeling.