Protest group launched to fight homes plan

Richard Cornwell

CAMPAIGNERS have launched a protest group to fight proposals for 2,000 homes on BT's Adastral Park site at Martlesham Heath.

People living in Martlesham, Waldringfield and nearby villages fear the project will destroy the area, ruining its environment and creating massive congestion on the A12.

Originally, Suffolk Coastal earmarked the land around BT for 1,050 homes by 2025, but doubled this after reducing the number of homes destined for Felixstowe, following protests there.

Now BT has submitted formal plans for 2,000 homes, plus 60,000 sq m of extra employment area, a health centre, community centre, shops, school, caf�, pub, hotel, and public park.

New action group NANT - No Adastral New Town - says this would create a “new town” almost as big as Leiston and which in the 2030s could grow to 3,500 homes with a population approaching that of Woodbridge, with most of the people moving into the area.

Steve Denton, of NANT, said: “We understand the need for housing growth but a development of this size and in this particular location would mean high density, urban style housing and have a huge impact on the A12 and A14 as well as the other roads between Ipswich and the local towns and villages.

“We are also concerned about the real likelihood that sufficient new jobs at Adastral Park can be created to meet the employment needs of such a large housing development. For example, high tech businesses tend to be located in areas with easy national and international access.

“The legacy of this development will be massive congestion, and a new high density town in an entirely inappropriate location which will overwhelm and destroy the environment in the whole area.”

NANT wants Suffolk Coastal to delay its decision until more detailed studies have been carried out on housing needs, long-term employment, and transport.

The council has been carrying out consultation on the housing issue and final comments must be received today .