CONCERNS have been raised about the possibility of holiday accommodation being used for second homes if a scheme in Wenhaston gets the green light.Permission is being sought to build 12 log cabins, a shop and toilet facilities along with provision for 15 touring caravans at New Farm, Blackheath Road.

CONCERNS have been raised about the possibility of holiday accommodation being used for second homes if a scheme in Wenhaston gets the green light.

Permission is being sought to build 12 log cabins, a shop and toilet facilities along with provision for 15 touring caravans at New Farm, Blackheath Road.

So far 19 people have written to Suffolk Coastal District Council in favour of the project and 64 in opposition.

One fear is that the cabins could be used for second homes instead of the holiday accommodation for which they are intended.

Bob Cattell, a worried resident of Blackheath Road, said: “That is a big concern. If we are not careful it could get out of hand. We do not need more second homes. It has happened elsewhere and if we are not careful it could happen here.”

He was also concerned about the impact any development would have on the surrounding countryside, with an increase of noise and traffic and the effect on the landscape.

“The district council has gone to a huge effort to make Blackheath an environmental highlight but if this goes ahead there will be upwards of 120 people coming into the area,” he said. “The village only has a population of 500 so it's a significant increase.

“There will also be additional traffic, with caravans coming through very narrow roads. It's a tranquil valley and incredibly quiet and secluded, it's inappropriate to have something of this scale in the area.”

Last night Mike Doddington, a technician with Halesworth based agents ASD Architecture Ltd, said a condition would be written into the planning application so the cabins could not be used for second homes.

“We have submitted all the relevant reports as requested by the planning authority and no concerns have been raised with regards to highways or the environment,” he added. “There is a chicken shed on the site which is old and redundant and we are changing it for something which would look a lot nicer.”

Mr Doddington said he hoped the development, if given the go ahead, would improve the local economy.

Planning bosses at Suffolk Coastal District Council are expected to make a decision on the application at a meeting on November 11.