Find out the latest on North Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood

Posted by on 31 July 2024 | Comments

Felixstowe residents are invited to an event to learn more about plans for the development of a new garden neighbourhood in the north of the town.

East Suffolk Council is leading the master-planning process for a new neighbourhood in the north of Felixstowe, known in the Local Plan as the North Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood.

Master-planning shows how a site will be developed, illustrating how buildings, roads and public spaces could look when the development is complete and includes input from the local community.

The North Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood aims to provide new housing, as identified in the Local Plan, as well as two new schools and a leisure centre. Protecting the natural environment and enhancing public spaces in and around Eastward Ho is also a key part of the plan.

Community engagement is at the heart of the master-planning process and a range of events, workshops and ways to comment have been developed to ensure the local community is kept up to date with the project, and that local needs are being considered.

The next public event is being held on Tuesday 13 August between 3pm and 8pm at Brackenbury Sports Centre, High Road East, Felixstowe. Councillors, consultants and council officers will be present to provide updates on the project and answer questions. Everyone is welcome and there is free parking on site.

Cllr David Beavan, East Suffolk's cabinet member for Housing said: "We know that people can sometimes be sceptical about consultations, believing that they are only a PR exercise once decisions have already been made behind closed doors. However, we are doing it differently and are consulting as widely as possible before making any decisions on this project, as well as being transparent about the range of possible options we could choose from.

"We are keen to engage with as many residents as we can and to do this, we have set up a citizens panel, a stakeholder group and are holding several public meetings, including the upcoming event on 13 August.

"Once we have gathered all the feedback from local people, we will then decide on a plan this winter. We will propose a masterplan that addresses as many local needs as possible including the environment, housing and leisure, in a fair and sustainable way.

"Our doors are open, and we are listening."

Approximately 143ha of land to the north of Felixstowe and Trimley St Mary were identified in the Suffolk Coastal Local Plan 2020 as being suitable for a garden neighbourhood, comprising green infrastructure, community facilities and employment land alongside residential development.

East Suffolk Council aims to develop an outline planning application for the site which will be submitted in Spring 2025.

Information about the project and the ongoing engagement programme can be found at www.northfelixstowe.co.uk

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