A Suffolk councillor has described feeling 'massively disappointed' and 'duped' after a planning inspector overturned a decision to refuse plans for 55 homes in her village.
Philip Major approved developer Warburg Dawson Partnership's plans to build the properties in St Andrews Place, Melton, despite East Suffolk Council initially throwing out the proposal due to concerns about the amount of traffic generated.
READ MORE: Residents 'may have nowhere to park' if 55 homes are approved
After hearing an appeal from the developer, Mr Major deemed that St Andrews Place would still be able to cater for 'normal day-to-day traffic' after the development had taken place.
However, he did acknowledge concerns that large delivery vehicles would struggle to access the site during the construction period.
But Melton parish councillor Carol Gradwell said she felt the council had been 'misled' because the developer was going to look at alternative access routes to the site instead of St Andrews Place.
She added: "Personally, I think it is massively disappointing. There are alternatives that could be explored.
READ MORE: Decision made on plans for 55 homes
"I am disappointed that the parish council were misled in terms of the access and as a consequence, the Neighbourhood Plan was put together on incorrect information.
"So I do feel as a resident, we have been duped and it does not give confidence that the developer is doing everything they can to minimise the effect on residents."
She said as part of the process of creating the Neighbourhood Plan, written assurances had been given that an alternative route would be found for the access.
READ MORE: Melton news
However, in his report, Mr Major said the potential for an access point to be created through land to the south had 'become difficult' and therefore St Andrews Place would be the main access to the development for vehicles.
In a statement, the parish council said: "Obviously, Melton Parish Council is very disappointed with this outcome.
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"An independent legal opinion received by a resident has confirmed that nothing can be done on the legal side to challenge the result."
The council has now pledged to work with the developer to mitigate the effects on the community.
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