Councillor's gun gesture as Woodbridge 'cheese wedge' homes approved

The design of the homes, shown here in an artist's impression, have been likened to wedges of cheese

A councillor made a gun gesture with his hand toward a committee member during a planning meeting about 100 new homes likened to "wedges of cheese".

Suffolk Coastal District Council's planning committee backed the scheme at its former riverside headquarters in Woodbridge.

Melton Parish Council chairman Alan Porter objected and made the gun shape from the public benches.

Committee chairman Debbie McCallum called the gesture "offensive".

Mr Porter said that it was "nothing personal" but did not apologise for the gesture, adding: "It was an act of difference and disappointment."

In a statement afterwards Ms McCallum said: "Members of the planning committee are there to debate and put their views forward so democratic debate can take place.

"To have someone point their hand at Andy [Smith] in the form of a gun is not appropriate.

"Bad behaviour like this has no place in the committee and offended some of our members."

The former council offices will be demolished

The gesture was formally noted in the minutes of the meeting.

The Melton Hill scheme had been met with "significant local objection".

In papers which went before councillors, it was heard officers had noted the homes had been described as looking like "cheese wedges".

More than 230 letters of objection were lodged, with people raising concerns about the appropriateness of the buildings and the impact on the surrounding area.

'High quality'

Woodbridge Town Council, Melton Parish Council and, on the other side of the river estuary, Sutton Heath Parish Council had urged for the scheme to be refused.

Objections also came from The National Trust, Woodbridge Town Trust and Woodbridge Riverside Trust.

There were 12 letters in support of the plans.

Planning officers said although the concerns were noted, the "benefits delivered through the scheme outweighed the levels of harms identified".

They said the design of the development as a whole was considered to be of "high quality" and "responds positively" to its setting.

Under the plans, the council offices will be demolished, there will be an underground car park and the potential for an on-site coffee shop.