Mr Evans said Gainsborough, who was born in Sudbury, had painted Cornard Wood from the grounds of Abbas Hall, Great Cornard.
BBC: Portrait of Thomas Gainsborough
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Persimmon Homes submitted plans for Great Cornard in 2010.
BBC: Portrait of Thomas Gainsborough
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Local resident Michael Evans, chairman of Cornard Tye Residents' Association, said he had pursued the case as he believed the development would lead to increased traffic and compromise views captured by Gainsborough.