Officials at Ipswich council have started the job of analysing responses from more than 2,000 replies to the borough’s survey on the future of the Cornhill.

People were asked for their views on proposals to radically change the look of the square in the heart of the town centre.

The proposals included levelling the Cornhill with steps and slopes at the sides, the construction of a water feature, and a proposal for a tower feature.

The responses to the consultation are likely to take several weeks to fully evaluate, and a detailed proposal for the redevelopment is due to be discussed by the borough’s executive committee in October.

It is understood that most people who took part in the consultation felt that the Cornhill did need a makeover to make the most of the town’s traditional heart.

There were concerns about the number of steps – especially for people with disabilities – but the idea of creating a flat area would be attractive.

At present there is a considerable slope from the entrance to Debenhams down to the Town Hall steps – and this makes it difficult to hold events on the Cornhill.

The idea of a water feature is thought to have split people down the middle – and there was very little support for the tower proposal because people felt it would get in the way of events in the area, especially at Christmas periods.

If the redevelopment is approved by October’s executive, the borough will then advertise for tenders for the work and will hope to appoint contractors early next year.

The work on the Cornhill is expected to start towards the late summer of 2017 and to be completed within 12 months – certainly in time for a grand unveiling at the start of the Christmas season in 2018.