By Dave GooderhamCAMPAIGNERS are bracing themselves for a fresh fight against a proposal for 300 homes in their village after a plan was formally lodged.

By Dave Gooderham

CAMPAIGNERS are bracing themselves for a fresh fight against a proposal for 300 homes in their village after a plan was formally lodged.

Members of Cornard Action Group have fought for almost three years against the planned redevelopment of Sudbury Rugby Club in Bures Road, Great Cornard.

The group is now gearing itself up for a new challenge after housing company Persimmon Homes submitted an application to Babergh District Council.

It has compiled a list of concerns and pledged to continue its protests against the plan, which include a new stadium for the rugby club.

Group chairman, Mick Scott, said: “The group are going to carry on fighting and we are not happy about the big leap from the original 270 houses to 306.

“We are also concerned about the road structure and we are still not very happy about the amount of traffic which would go through Bures Road.

“We don't think the roads will be able to cope with the increase in traffic. We also feel Rugby Road will be turned into a rat-run and I am worried there will be accidents with the amount of children going to nearby schools.”

Under the plan, Sudbury Rugby Club would move 400 yards away on part of a 40-acre site in the Blackhouse Lane area, where a new clubhouse, two pitches, an all-weather training area and a car park have been planned.

But Mr Scott said: “We don't think the houses are needed - and certainly not with the road structure as it is now.

“The group also feel there are not enough jobs to support all these new people and the schools won't be able to cope as well.”

Persimmon Homes first put in a planning application for the £15 million project in 2000, leading to the action group's formation.

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes said the plan would include 107 affordable houses and a further 20% of one or two-bedroom houses to reflect the need of the community.

“The plans are a revised scheme based on an application originally submitted in November 2000 which was subsequently withdrawn by the company,” he added.

“A number of key elements from the original scheme have been retained, including on-site play areas and play equipment, an adjoining four acres of public open space and strategic landscaping.

“Persimmon will also be relocating Sudbury Rugby Club to a new ground and further land adjoining the site will be released to create employment opportunities for local people.

“We hope this new scheme underlines Persimmon's commitment to building new homes that reflect the needs of the local community.”

dave.gooderham@eadt.co.uk