Plans for a new home in a village have been refused after concerns were raised over increased traffic, dangerous access and wildlife.

Applicant Mrs Susan Humphreys sought permission from Babergh District Council to build one home and a new access route on land to the east of the existing property at Ruddens in Prospect Hill in Great Cornard, near Sudbury.

Proposals included a detached two-storey four-bedroom home set 25m from Ruddens, with a new vehicular access route from the south of Prospect Hill, with a driveway and two parking spaces.

However, Great Cornard Parish Council and Little Cornard Parish Council raised concerns around the development, including the increase in traffic on the narrow road and fears that the access route was 'dangerous'.

Residents also wrote to Babergh District Council voicing their concerns that approving the plan would set a precedent for future development on Prospect Hill, which is a designated Quiet Lane. 

Great Cornard Parish Council said in a statement: "The Parish Council shares the local residents' concerns that if this planning application were approved, it would set a dangerous precedent for other properties along Prospect Hill to submit similar applications."

One resident also said the site may cause damage to wildlife, particularly as the site is close to the country park and near a wildflower meadow where Barn Owls can be seen. 

On Wednesday, Babergh District Council refused the plans based on the landscape impact and the fact that there was insufficient highways and land contamination information included in the application. 

The council also highlighted that the site is not allocated for development in accordance with the local plans and therefore approving it without exceptional circumstances would be contrary  to planning policy.