CAMPAIGNING residents last night told of their disappointment after learning plans to develop an “eyesore” had been delayed.

Laurence Cawley

CAMPAIGNING residents last night told of their disappointment after learning plans to develop an “eyesore” had been delayed.

Havebury Housing Partnership wants to build eight new homes on the site of the former Merry Go Round public house in St Olaves Road in Bury St Edmunds.

The former pub building was knocked down in 2002 after it was repeatedly targeted by arsonists.

Last year, Havebury's plan for the site, which included a mix of affordable houses and flats, met with approval from those living in the area.

But it has now emerged the scheme has been delayed and could be changed because of Havebury's financial constraints.

Ernie Broom, of the Howard Estate Association of Residents and Tenants (Heart), said: “We are really angry over this.

“The site is an eyesore in the middle of our town. It is absolutely disgusting and I doubt whether such a thing would have been allowed to remain like that anywhere else in town.”

Mr Broom, who is also chairman of the town's Over-60s club, said he had been told there was limited funding for the scheme at present.

“I am really, really miffed to say the least. Last year they brought the plans up and we thought it looked really nice and everybody was excited.

“It just seems to have stopped. We just don't know where it is going at the moment.”

Dennis Heath, head of development at Havebury Housing Partnership, said: “The St Olaves development has certainly not been shelved.

“We are working hard on two fronts, firstly to secure the land from the landowner and secondly to revise the proposed development to reduce the costs to ensure that it is viable.”