A major consultation exercise gets under way next week on planning policy which will guide the development of Ipswich over the next two decades.
Local people are being asked for their ideas on Ipswich Borough Council's "Preferred Options" for the Local Development Framework. These set out what it believes the town needs to further prosper and were approved by the Council's Executive last November.
The Council has already consulted widely on this framework and has built its new draft plans around many of the comments received. Now, a further period of consultation begins on 14th January and continues until 25th February.
Most comments from the public received so far concerned the possible development of the Northern Fringe of Ipswich and the issue of whether or not the town needs an East Bank link road.
In the "Preferred Options" policy, the Council says that there in no need to build on the Northern Fringe to meet the Government's housing targets for the period to 2021 but that some of the Northern Fringe should be shown as a possible area for future development beyond that date.
The Council has also decided not to include plans for an East Bank link road in the policy, believing public money would not be forthcoming, that a new A14 junction would not be permitted and that private finance would mean more out of town retail space, with an impact on the town centre. However, this does not rule out the long-term potential for a link if the Highways Agency position changes, if funding sources are available and the environmental consequences are considered to be acceptable.
Other major issues included in the "Preferred Options" document are:
- The Council plans to meet Ministers' housing targets by allocating land for 6,800 new homes for Ipswich by 2021 to ensure the overall target of 15,400 new homes is met;
- Thirty-five percent of new developments will be affordable homes. Of those, at least 65% will be for rent;
- The Cranes site in south-east Ipswich becomes a Strategic Employment Site;
- The creation of a green ring around the outside of the town;
- All major developments must have at least 10% green space;
- No more out of town retail parks within the Borough boundary;
- A Wet Dock crossing is supported and transport links between the railway station, the Waterfront and the town centre will be improved;
- The Council believes a possible northern by-pass outside the Borough boundary should be properly considered.
Councillor Richard Atkins, Economic Development portfolio-holder, said: "The 'Preferred Options' process is both complex and important. In essence, it maps out the future direction that Ipswich will take. We have tried to meet people's needs and expectations and have made environmental issues a big priority. We are pleased that there was such a big public response when we were setting out on this project and we ask that local people and businesses will again get involved. This is your town; it is your future."