A proposal to build nearly 300 homes on a Suffolk airfield have been recommended for approval by planning officers.

The outline proposal, if approved by Mid Suffolk District Council, will see up to 280 homes built on Eye Airfield, along with a 60-bed care home.

Contributions alongside the development will include £1.7million for education.

And 20pc of the homes will be affordable.

The plans will be discussed at Mid Suffolk District Council's Planning Referrals Committee on Wednesday, June 8 at the council chamber in Needham Market.

Papers for the meeting show that Eye Town Council objects to the plans.

A response to the district council said: 'This single development represents a growth of some 30pc in the population of the town. The town council, and indeed many people in the town, see development as necessary to ensure a sustainable future for Eye.

'The decision to object does not reflect a general opposition to development but arises specifically from the inadequacies of the application itself.'

Historic England also responded to the district council during the consultation period, saying the development could potentially harm the significance of Eye Castle and the Grade I- listed Church of St Peter and St Paul.

However, planning officers said: 'With no detailed plans to consider at this stage the likelihood of such harm being posed by the development is a matter of debate.

'However, the potential prominence of the care home and subsequent disturbance of views afforded from historic sites, is noted.

'Should members be minded to approve this application, it is further considered that an adoption by a developer of those principles contained within the development brief would serve to reinforce this.'

In March last year about 100 people from gathered at the town hall to attend a public meeting over a proposal to construct the homes.

The public meeting was part of a Eye Broad Housing Location Community Consultation, which has already drawn strong concerns about the homes creating traffic and flooding problems.

Residents were worried about the amount of traffic generated and how the homes would affect the A140 and fears were raised over school places and capacity at the town's doctor surgery.