Residents object as Port One logistics park looks to expand into scrapped SnOasis site in Great Blakenham, near Ipswich

Residents have expressed opposition to plans that could see a logistics park spill out onto the site of a scrapped winter sports centre.

A scoping report has been submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council by the developers of Port One Logistics Park in Great Blakenham, seeking to expand it into the SnOasis site.

The applicant expects that formal plans for the project will be lodged by October.

This marks a major development for the site since plans for SnOasis were abandoned last year.

However, those living in the area have already started submitting their objections.

One resident, of Great Blakenham, felt the area was ‘dusty and dirty’ enough and urged the authority to refuse the proposals.

“Port One has already ruined what was a lovely walk around Great and Little Blakenham,” they said.

“The 'footpath' is just rubble, floods and the fences are in a terrible state, not to mention the number of trees they've cut down.

“The extra noise that this development will bring will be relentless and we don't feel that the developer takes any comments from locals into consideration.

“The roads are muddy, full of potholes and the traffic always builds up on the B1115 during rush hour or when there are closures on the A14.

“We feel that further development of Port One will really impact the locals.”

Another resident felt there had been little communication from the developer with the people living in the area.

They said: “There is zero input from them in the upkeep of the mess and chaos they create.

“The light pollution the site creates in the area is unprecedented.

“This is Suffolk, not Corby or Lutterworth, where sheds dominate the landscape.”

The project has been proposed by Curzon de Vere Ltd, the developer of Port One, and Valley Ridge Holdings Ltd, which was due to turn the site into SnOasis.

The 304 acre site sits on land formerly used as a quarry, and access would be gained from Bramford Road.

The applicant expects that the development would lead to nine million sq feet of commercial floorspace, parking for 1,200 trucks, a hydrogen fuel station, a farm shop and a café for drivers.

It is also expected that staff would be offered free travel to work via mini-bus and the project is expected to ‘deliver’ 120,000 trees.