A bid to build a care home which had been criticised over fears it would not improve a nearby large pond described as a “bomb crater” has been approved.

Care UK applied for permission to build the 70-bedroom home in Cedars Park, Stowmarket, but the plans came under fire from the estate’s residents’ association.

The association had wanted the application to include improvements to the pond which will lie in front of the care home and had been included in previous plans to also build a village centre.

Fred Hillyer, president of Cedars Park Residents Association, spoke at a Mid Suffolk District Council planning committee on Wednesday.

He said: “When the care home was first presented to us it included the pond and I thought it would solve the problem.

“Now is a good time to get the pond, known as a bomb crater, finished before the application for the care home is completed.”

It was revealed in the meeting the had council made a late submission to the plans to include an agreement that a scheme to improve the pond would be established before the care home could be built.

The association also had concerns the care home development would not provide community facilities as the site had been earmarked for the building of a village centre.

Adrian Kearley, planning consultant for AKA Planning, represented Care UK at the meeting. He said following an “extensive consultation” the company had made changes to the plans to include a retail unit.

“We believe the home will provide significant benefits and a sustainable development within the planning framework,” Mr Kearley said. District councillor Gary Green, said the positioning of the home would be “very beneficial” for residents.