Town councillors fear services are at "breaking point" as plans are unveiled for 70 new homes in "Suffolk's smallest town".

They say existing services, such as GP surgeries and schools, are already stretched in Clare and are also concerned about the speed of traffic through the town.

If given the go-ahead by West Suffolk Council, the new homes will be built on land off Cavendish Road in Clare. 

Rainier Developments is proposing the new homes opposite the Denbury Homes 53-home Weavers Way site and near Stour Valley Community School.

A statement from Clare Town Council following the submission of the 70-home plan raises a variety of concerns including speeding and road safety dangers, as well as local infrastructure.

They said: "While we are aware that the land is in the local plan and is therefore likely to be developed, we had hoped to work with any potential developer to address the significant issues that the town faces.

"We are regularly recording speeds of 60-70 mph on that stretch of road, despite the 30 limit and the entrance to the school and this proposal will only add to the danger in that regard. We had hoped that the design might incorporate measures to reduce driver speeds on that road.  

"Our local services, GP surgeries, schools etc are at breaking point and adding 70 new families will exacerbate the situation to an intolerable level.

"Investment in the town from previous developments has not been forthcoming in any tangible way so we would also expect real investment in facilities," they added.

The plans include an expected 28 affordable homes and a 30-space car park.

In documents before the council they are described as "sensitively designed to respect and integrate with Clare and the surrounding area". 

Last year, a girl, aged 13, was hit on Cavendish Road while walking to Stour Valley Community School. 

Bibi Anderson-Jones, of Ridgewell, was walking in Cavendish Road on Monday, June 12, 2023, when she was hit by a car as she crossed. 

At the time her mother, Amanda Anderson, called for further safety measures to be implemented on the 30mph road. 

This comes after a community leader said he felt West Suffolk Council's 'hands are tied' by national policy as plans for nearly 60 new homes were given the go-ahead in Thurston. 

Persimmon Homes plans for 59 homes on land to the west of Ixworth Road were given the nod of approval by Mid Suffolk District Council's planning committee on October 23.

During the meeting, councillor James Patchett, for Stow Thorney, said: "I sometimes question my value of even being here really because quite often our hands are just tied with the national planning policy framework.

"When are we going to stop hammering these villages that have got to travel miles to get to GP surgeries? When does it stop?"