Fresh plans have been submitted to build two homes behind a village pub.

Arcady Architects, on behalf of Lexden Homes (Colchester) Ltd, has lodged plans with Mid Suffolk District Council to construct properties on land at the rear of the Six Bells pub in Felsham, between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket.

A design and access statement said previous developments had been refused because the two-storey homes were "deemed inappropriate for its setting within the Conservation area". 

The applicant wants to take a "fresh approach" to building on the site. As a result, two bungalows have been proposed.

Access would be from Church Road and shared with the pub and those using it.

The design and access statement said: "The development has been carefully considered to ensure that the setting is protected." 

Development on the site has proved contentious for people living in the village over the past few years. 

Previous plans for two three-bedroom homes, submitted by Cordage 44 Ltd, are currently awaiting a decision after an appeal was lodged. 

They were the fifth set of proposals to be put forward for the site since 2020. 

Previous plans were refused on the basis of causing harm to the character of the conservation area and unacceptable impact on highway safety.

Nick Panayi, who has lived in the village for almost 30 years, previously told this newspaper the proposed access would pose a serious danger. 

"That access is on the only road that runs through the village. It is a very busy road," he said.

"The access itself is on a bend, there is not enough visibility to see traffic coming from the east side.

"As cars pull out the only way they can see traffic is to pull out so the front of the cars are in the middle of the road."