Councils invite views for future

Babergh and Mid Suffolk district councils have launched a consultation inviting residents to help shape their first joint local plan.

The two councils will hold a series of sessions to allow members of the public to give their views on the future of both districts.

The new joint local plan will inform the council’s decisions on key planning policies, which will impact housing developments and growth across the area until 2031.

The document will also impact future opportunities for local business and retail improvements.

The sessions are scheduled to take place at Sudbury’s Kingfisher Leisure Centre on February 23, at Mid Suffolk District Council’s offices on February 24, at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure on February 25 and at the Mix Centre in Stowmarket on February 26. All run between 4pm and 8pm.

Rich Cooke, corporate manager for spatial planning policy, said: “This is a real chance for people who live in our districts to have their say on where they want the growth to happen in the future.

“We all know that we have to adapt and grow in order to keep our villages and towns sustainable over the coming years, but we really want to work with our communities to see where they think this growth should happen.”

No appointment is necessary for the drop-in events, where officers will be available to answer questions.