PROPOSALS for the future of Ipswich are set to be firmed up over the coming weeks after a massive public consultation ended.

PROPOSALS for the future of Ipswich are set to be firmed up over the coming weeks after a massive public consultation ended.

More than 3,000 people responded after being asked for their ideas on Ipswich Borough Council's "preferred options" for the local development framework -plans for the town's future.

The plan sets out what the town chiefs believe Ipswich needs to further prosper and includes the possible creation of a “green ring” around the town and a multi-million pound wet dock crossing for the Waterfront.

It also controversially outlined potential spots for homes in the town - some of which are in residential gardens, a concept dubbed by some as “garden-grabbing”.

Richard Atkins, responsible for economic development at Ipswich Borough Council, said the results of the consultation are being collated prior to the final blueprint being decided.

“There are more stages to come at the moment in terms of the options being presented to cabinet,” he said.

“That is probably going to happen in December at the earliest as I think we somewhat underestimated the scale and volume of the amount of feedback we got.

“It has all got to be documented, extracted and summarised.”

The council's executive committee noted the feedback comments received at a meeting in September.

It will now decide how to respond to the comments and will draft full versions of the development plan documents, ready for the next stage of public consultation which will begin in February 2009.

The final documents must be submitted to government next summer.