An action group objecting to controversial plans to build 340 new homes at in Trimley are determined to fight on even after their bid two extend a public consultation process due to Covid-19, have vowed to fight on.

Trinity College Cambridge have applied to build up to 340 dwellings with open space, a new Early Years Facility, along with a new roundabout access from Howlett Way, a foul water pumping station and associated landscaping.

However, residents from the Trimley villages, along with the Kirton and Trimley Community Action Group (Katcag) and Trimley St Martin parish council, are opposed to the plans for a number of reasons, including building on prime agricultural land, infilling between St Mary's and St Martin's, environmental reasons and over-development.

Supporters argue the Colneis peninsula, Felixstowe area and East Suffolk district need the housing.

Rebecca Atherstone, spokeswoman for Katcag, said: "The villages of Kirton and Trimley St Martin are Domesday Book villages. There is so much history and unspoilt Nature here.

"Crucially, our areas contribute massively to food production because the farmland is high grade soil. East Anglia is not known as 'The Bread Basket' of England for nothing.

None of us are against house building, but NOT on fertile food producing land. We support the building on brownfield sites, which would no doubt enhance the Peninsula.

"We trash high grade soil at our peril."

Katcag had called on district councillors Richard Kerry to Melissa Allen, ward members for Orwell to comment publicly however both were restricted.

As a planning committee member Cllr Allen has had to ensure she did not she any pre-determination ahead of the meeting which would decide the application. That is lawful standard practice and she has followed advice from the monitoring officer not to respond.

Cllr Kerry also took advice from the monitoring officer and while happy to engage one on one with individual constituents would not get involve din any 'press groups'.

However Cllr Kerry has commented on the public consultation regarding the Howlett Way application and his points included a need for housing, as the market and remained static for some time.

He also insisted officers included residents' issues in their report, including, the capability of AWA to manage the foul water from this site along with all the other sites that have permission or may get it in the future.

He also expressed residents' concerns regarding parking in the High Road.

Trimley St Martin parish council are opposed to the application as their members questions the need for housing due to the pandemic potentially affecting the housing market.

Parish councillors are also unhappy at the timing of application

as it was understood no site visit would be possible and also some people would not be able to access internet facilities as libraries were not yet open and they would not be able to comment.