More than 10,000 new homes will be needed in east Suffolk as demand rises and the population grows.

It will be the equivalent of building a community almost as large as Suffolk Coastal’s biggest town, Felixstowe – and communities such as Framlingham, Woodbridge, and Saxmundham, could have hundreds of extra new homes.

Population trends indicate that the population of Suffolk Coastal is expected to grow by 8,259 between 2014-2036.

The latest figures, drawn from a new indepth study helping to shape the future of the district, are a revision of previously agreed housing figures and show that the area needs far more new homes than first thought.

Consultation is under way on the allocation of 10,111 homes up to 2036 with a variety of scenarios to identify the areas where they may be sited.

Some market towns and villages could see little extra development or large numbers of homes depending on the pattern of growth chosen.

Tony Fryatt, Suffolk Coastal’s cabinet member for planning, said: “Across the country, there is a serious shortage of decent, affordable housing and the average cost of housing is rising all the time.

“It is important that delivery of housing across this district matches the need of communities by building more homes that people want to live in, in places people want to live.

“To help communities, a Local Plan needs to provide housing opportunities for younger people, families and older people as well as encouraging a range of employment opportunities alongside the delivery of infrastructure at the right time.

“A Local Plan can help deliver the vision for each community across the district by setting out the level of growth which needs to be planned for and identifies where that growth should go.

“This consultation is the first stage in the process and the first opportunity for members of the public, partners and interested parties to have their say.”

The 10 weeks of consultation on the new study and accompanying documents will last until Monday, October 30.

There will be a series of seven public exhibitions, starting September 11 at Yoxford, and visiting Rushmere St Andrew, Felixstowe, Melton, Wenhaston, Kirton and Stratford St Andrew.

Copies of the consultation documents are available at www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/local-plans/suffolk-coastal-local-plan/local-plan-review/