THERE were angry scenes last night as protestors clashed with a town council over plans for hundreds of new homes.

Anthony Bond

THERE were angry scenes last night as protestors clashed with a town council over plans for hundreds of new homes.

People concerned about the prospect of 1,620 new homes in Felixstowe and the surrounding area attended the town's council meeting.

But the public question time soon turned into an angry confrontation between town mayor Joan Sennington and Ken Ferris, spokesman for Save Felixstowe Countryside.

At one point Mrs Sennington called Mr Ferris “a bully” and threatened to call the police into the room to remove him.

He had demanded an apology from the mayor after she told protestors at a meeting in March to “go away you stupid people”.

Mrs Sennington said at the time that she had felt threatened by the protestors.

Last nightMr Ferris asked the mayor for an apology but she responded by saying “I have nothing to apologise for”.

In raised voices Mr Ferris continued: “As consultees I do not think that you are doing your job properly. Consulting means consulting with the whole of Felixstowe and I do not think that you have done that.”

The plans are to build 1,620 new homes in Felixstowe, the twin Trimley villages and Walton over the next 15 years.

The town council has recommended that land adjacent to Candlet Road was the most suitable option for development.

Save Felixstowe Countryside say the proposed development is unsustainable and would have a detrimental impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Before the meeting last nightmembers of the group presented 300 letters of objection and a petition to the town council.

They are now calling for an extension to the consultation period - which has already been lengthened by Suffolk Coastal District Council.

Julie Cornforth, a member of Save Felixstowe Countryside, said: “We don't feel that enough people have been told of the plans and it's only right that they have their say - otherwise it's just going to get pushed through without a murmur.”

Suffolk Coastal District Council will make the final decision on the site and is still asking for people to indicate which areas they would favour for housing. Members of the public have until April 11 to send in their views and can also look at the plans at www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.