Community leaders are bracing themselves for a barrage of objections over proposals for 200 new homes on the edge of Felixstowe.

Optima Land and Property has submitted the scheme for a field in Ferry Road, near its junction with Gulpher Road, and the scheme will include open space and a playpark.

One-third of the new homes will be affordable housing.

An application for the 12-acre site in Old Felixstowe has been expected for some time and residents have voiced concerns over use of the land, overdevelopment, and also concerns over the traffic it will generate, especially on country lanes.

Both access junctions to the estate will be on Ferry Road – one on a narrow stretch at a sharp bend by a pillbox.

In its submission, Optima said the land was already bounded on two sides by housing.

It said: “Most of the houses are positioned side-on to the site, as if development on each of the three roads was intended to be extended into the site.”

“There is a requirement for new homes in Felixstowe and a development of up to 200 new homes will be an important step in starting to address this need. Additional homes will help to support the creation of new employment opportunities and will help to reduce the level of commuting to the town.”

The density would be 16.8 homes per acre.

Town and district councillor Kimberley Williams said: “Housing for Felixstowe is inevitable under the Suffolk Coastal local development plan, but we must make sure it is in the right place, on sites and in such numbers as required to meet local need.

“This means predominantly affordable homes for young people and families, not second homes or flats at the Bartlet or South Seafront.”