A COMMUNITY has agreed to push ahead with a blueprint that will set out how they want their coastal resort to grow in the future.

It was standing room only for some during a recent meeting at Aldeburgh Community Centre to discuss putting together a Town Plan.

Almost 160 people attended and heard Richard Marson, Tony Bone and Gillian Benjamin describe why the blueprint was deemed necessary.

The concept of a plan was then put to the vote and unanimously approved.

A number of communities are in the process of drawing up plans for their towns or villages, which are designed to give people a greater say on decisions and influence how their communities will grow in the future.

Mr Bone said they were delighted with the turnout.

“It was better than we could have hoped,” he said. “After it was agreed to pursue the concept of a plan attendees were then asked to note their concerns and issues that need to be addressed.

“They registered these on ‘post it’ notes and these are now being analysed.

“People were also asked to say if they would like to help in producing the plan and more than 70 filled in the forms provided.

“The next steps will be to form a steering group from those who volunteered.”

The idea of a Town Plan has been made possible because of powers handed to town and parish councils by the Government.

The process will be led by an independent group supported by all local authorities.

The aim is to allow people to have more of an influence over what happens in their communities over the next 15 or so years.

The document can cover everything from housing, employment and transport through to parking, town centre improvements, recreation and health.

Future planning applications will be judged against the document and it will therefore influence whether they are approved or refused.

Anyone who would like to find out more about the Aldeburgh Town Plan can visit www.aldeburghtownplan.org.uk.