A village once home to John Constable says the “fight is not over” regarding controversial plans to build more than 200 homes, despite its appeal being dismissed.

East Anglian Daily Times: East Bergholt Parish Council have had their appeal against the 200 homes rejected. Picture: ARCHANTEast Bergholt Parish Council have had their appeal against the 200 homes rejected. Picture: ARCHANT

East Bergholt Parish Council sought a judicial review after Babergh District Council approved three applications totalling 229 homes.

It went to the High Court but in a written report published on December 7 2018, Judge Sir Ross Cranston dismissed the parish council's objection.

It appealed against the judgement in a hearing on July 18 this year - however it was announced on Friday, December 12 it had been rejected.

Peter Dent, chairman of Action East Bergholt, said he was "very angry and fed up with the whole thing".

"This has been going on for more than two years," he said.

"But I really hope that the fight is not over and that the parish council don't give up.

"Fighting the plans has cost the village a lot of money and our only option is to go to the Supreme Court."

The main question in the appeal was whether Babergh had "misdirected itself on the relevant policies in the National Planning Policy Framework" and whether it "was influenced by the potential cost of opposing subsequent appeals if it refused permission".

All three judges agreed the appeal should be dismissed, stating that the district council had acted "in accordance with the law".

The ruling means planning permission approved for the three sites remains.

Clive Arthey, Babergh District Council's cabinet member for planning, said: "We welcome the court's decision which upheld the judgement that the planning committee's decision-making process was correct and lawful.

"We do, however, understand the concerns of local residents and continue to work with the community to ensure that any development within the village does not undermine the character and heritage of East Bergholt and the Dedham Vale."

East Bergholt Parish Council has called an extraordinary meeting in response to the dismissal, which will be held on Wednesday, December 18, to discuss how to move forward.

Mr Dent, who has been fighting the plans since they were announced, said people in the village were extremely disappointed and were "wondering what they can do next".

He added that he hopes the case will be taken to the Supreme Court.