Comments on site allocations in neighbouring villages. Allocation of WS216, Fornham St Martin - Indicative capacity level of 295 is too high for the community of Fornham St Martin and for traffic likely to be generated through Fornham All Saints.

The Parish Council on behalf of the residents of Fornham St Martin and Fornham St Genevieve villages have the following comments. The Parish Council would like to reiterate that we strongly object to the declassification of our villages to “Type A” status and we are opposed to the following sites being made available for development, due to the risk of further coalescence with the town of Bury St Edmunds. The sites are WS570, WS081, WS216, WS552, WS543 and WS035.

WS216 This field routinely has standing water. There is an unresolved issue of drainage on the Fornham St Martin Bypass to the east of this field. The building of 295 houses with the associated cars would significantly increase the impact of traffic into Bury St Edmunds via Tollgate and the levels of traffic on the derestricted road between the village and Bury St Edmunds

WS216 Why are sites WS552 WS543 and WS035 not visible on the Fornham St Martin Drop down list?

I am writing with regard to the site WS216 which has been ear marked as a potential site for future development. I am concerned of the potential development on the above site in Fornham St Martin, this would inevitably be a substantial development of houses proposed and the access point to the estate is a concern.

We understand the need for additional development in West Suffolk, but we urge the council to restrict this growth to existing towns and main population centres and to preserve the integrity of our villages and the rural/semi-rural countryside in West Suffolk.

WS570. This site is part of the green infrastructure separating Bury St Edmunds and Fornham St Martin. Use of this site will lead to coalescence of the two which is contrary to planning policies and the aims stated in this document. Although this site lies outside the area designated as flood plain, it has flooded as recently as the last 2 weeks.

WS081 We support the re-categorisation of Fornham St Martin to Type A village. It is well located close to Bury St Edmunds and the employment and facilities it offers.

WSE02 This site contributes to the open vista of the village and is crucial to the environmental aspect of the tree avenue as described in my comments on SW216. Although some units adjacent to the by-pass and continuing road, they do not impact on the tree avenue, which should be preserved with no development near the avenues at all.

WS081 Building on this site would lead to a loss of valuable green space to the north of Bury St Edmunds and a negative impact on the environment and wildlife of the Lark Valley.