Mixed views on go ahead for drive through restaurant, coffee shop and petrol station at Elmswell

There has been a mixed response from villagers and the local community after a planning inspector gave the green light for a drive through restaurant, coffee shop and petrol station next to the A14 at Elmswell.

A series of complaints have been lodged with some saying it’s a “disaster” while others have welcomed the decision saying it is a “prime location” for the development.

The scheme. on land off Kiln Lane and next to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency site, was originally turned down by Mid Suffolk District Council and followed a series objections to the project by the parish council in the village along with Woolpit and Norton councils.

But an appeal was lodged by EG (formerly Euro Garages) Ltd which the inspector has approved.

Villagers have vented their frustration via posts on suffolkvillage.info and the social media site Nextdoor.

Victoria Cooper said: “What a sad contrast between the village sign backdropped by English farmland and the prospect of a drive through … an unrecognisable, over-developed Elmswell.”

Andrew Westlake said: “No matter what the local objections it all gets steam-rollored in the end. This will surely be visible from School Road the view from which has already been partially spoilt. How will this effect the local garages at Norton and Woolpit that also act as local shops?”

Woopit resident Trevor Howard said: “What a disaster that is. We don’t need it and we don’t want it. Money talks though sadly.”

Sara Wood, from Elmswell, said: “Disgusting urbanisation of our rural way of life.”

Tracy Gardiner, from Woolpit, said: “More dumped rubbish thrown from cars in the village.”

Peter Owen, from Woolpit, said: “Really don’t understand how the Highway Authority thinks that the access and egress arrangements are safe. I can only sum up the whole mess as yet another let down on the community by the authorities. And delusions of adequacy by politicians who believe the processes are right.”

Victoria Mott, from Woolpit, said: “Here’s hoping they don’t start the infrastructure works until the Woolpit / Elms roundabout and A14 works are complete.”

But there was support for the scheme with Gabby Vaughan saying: “Yes good it’s going ahead. These village councillors need to get with the times and get into the 20th century. We need more amenities.”

Dave Simpson, from Felsham, said: “They don’t build service areas on a trunk road for local people … personally I thought it was always likely to go though, not enough planning considerations to prevent it.”

And Luke Roberts, from Woolpit, said: “I can understand why it’s not wanted by a lot of people locally, but for some people it’s very useful.”

While another said: “It’s a sensible solution to use existing areas. I’ve always expected that area to be developed because of its location, it’s what would be termed as a ‘prime site’.”