CONSULTATION over proposals for thousands of new homes in the Suffolk Coastal area comes to an end today .

Richard Cornwell

CONSULTATION over proposals for thousands of new homes in the Suffolk Coastal area comes to an end today .

People have until the end of the day to get their comments in about the number of properties - although separate work on specific sites for around 2,000 homes in the Felixstowe area is continuing for a while yet.

The district council has been asking for views on its proposed core strategy for the future and also a “wish list” document detailing sites developers have put forward as potential places for homes and industry.

Proposals include not just new homes for Felixstowe, but also 1,000 at Adastral Park, Martlesham Heath, and hundreds more across the district's market towns.

In Felixstowe the aim is to achieve “organic growth” with homes scattered across several sites, though town councillors have indicated they would be prepared to accept large-scale sites in the countryside as long as proper facilities are provided.

The Local Development Framework core strategy also looks at issues such as employment, transport, shopping and climate change.

One main issue is affordable housing - the council says it is aiming for 24 per cent of all housing to be social housing for rent or part-purchase, and is suggesting possibly increasing this to two out of every three homes.

Cabinet member Andy Smith said: “There are many other equally important issues addressed in the core strategy that people should also look at and comment upon, but it is probably housing that is the most emotive issue for residents.

“We are obliged by the Government to set out how 7,710 new homes can be built between now and 2025 in this district.

“The good news is over half of those homes can already be accounted for because of existing planning permissions or housing land.”

Once all comments have been considered, the council will draw up its final core strategy followed by a further public consultation and then a public hearing conducted by an independent planning inspector.

Should we be building new homes in our countryside? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.