CAMPAIGNERS have put a giant picture frame by the roadside to show the picturesque countryside that could be lost if a housing development goes ahead.

Action Group East Bergholt was formed after plans were unveiled to build 144 homes in Moores Lane.

The village is the birthplace of John Constable and the frame is a nod to the landscapes he painted, which could be lost.

There are also signs with slogas including, “No mass housing in Bergholt” and “Bergholt is a village not a town”.

In its latest show of opposition, the group has put more than 100 posters and signs around the village.

Peter Dent, chairman of the group, said: “We raised about £9,000 within the village to enable us to put these signs up.

“The development is entirely disproportionate to the size of the village.

“We are not against development here, but feel it should be smaller developments.”

A planning application was submitted in May. The development could include business units and open space.

As well as the signs, the campaign group has gathered 300 letters of objection, which it will send to Babergh Council soon.

Mr Dent said: “The impact of the signs remains to be seen.

“An awful lot of people would have seen them, so I guess you can say it has had an impact.

“The reason we put them up was so people in the village knew that this was going on.

“This means they know what is going on.”

South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge has objected to the plans.

He said: “I cannot believe the addition of 144 homes in one singular estate’s construction is in keeping with a policy that seeks to support proportionate development defines as being in character with the existing settlement.”

A decision has yet to be made on the application.

East Bergholt and the countryside around it was made famous by artist John Constable, leading to the area becoming known as Constable Country.

A spokesman for Knight Developments said no one was available to comment.