A group of villagers from one of the most picturesque areas of Suffolk are up in arms over plans to build 24 homes on a site overlooking the River Orwell.

East Anglian Daily Times: A group of villagers in Chelmondiston are furious about plans for 24 new homes on land overlooking Pin Mill. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNA group of villagers in Chelmondiston are furious about plans for 24 new homes on land overlooking Pin Mill. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

An outline planning application to build the homes overlooking Pin Mill on the River Orwell has been submitted to the Babergh/Mid Suffolk planning department – prompting concern in the village.

The site is in the village of Chelmondiston – and its only access road would be through the existing Woodlands cul de sac.

Diana Jackson, who lives in the Woodlands development, said: “There is real concern in the village about this proposal which is on a really important piece of land that has not been cultivated for years and is an important site for wildlife.

“It is in an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) so you would think it would be protected – but from what we’ve heard the council is only worried if it can be seen from the River Orwell.”

Mrs Jackson said the site overlooked the picturesque hamlet of Pin Mill and local residents were concerned by both the impact of the new homes on the landscape and the problems that would be caused by increased traffic through their very narrow cul de sac.

The entrance to what would become the access road to the new homes is opposite the village primary school which is already very busy at the start and end of the school day.

The application is for 24 homes, including eight “affordable” homes. Mrs Jackson said although only an outline planning bid had been made, it was clear most of the homes would be large “executive” style houses which could have two or three cars each. She said the parish council was concerned about the plans.

The application has been known about since last year, but it has only been lodged with the council within the last two weeks – so there is no schedule yet for it to be discussed by members of Babergh’s planning committee.

The application has been prepared by Artisan Planning and Property Services on behalf of the owners of the site. Their submission to the council says the proposed development would be “low density” with 24 homes on a site of 1.9 hectares.

It says there would be both houses and bungalows – of a similar style to the existing homes in the Woodlands area built between the 1960s and the 1980s.