A meeting to discuss proposals that could lead to hundreds of homes being built in twin villages to the south of Ipswich brought out about 200 residents.

There are concerns in Copdock and Washbrook that the new Babergh local plan could lead to the construction of more than 600 new homes in their village – at present there a 464 homes there.

Senior planning officer Tom Barker explained the need for the draft local plan – and told villagers that it was necessary to prepare for future growth.

There was concern among many people at the meeting that the villages had now been designated as “Ipswich Fringe” – they felt they had bought houses in a village and didn’t want it swamped by Ipswich.

And there were concerns that the roads and other infrastructure would be unable to cope with a major growth in the villages.

The next parish council meeting will consider the draft plan on Tuesday and the deadline for submissions to Babergh is November 12.