Plans to transform a key area of Sudbury town centre into a culture and leisure space has been given the backing of council chiefs – with preferred developers set to be identified early next year.

East Anglian Daily Times: Borehamgate shopping centre in Sudbury is involved in the plans Picture: GREGG BROWNBorehamgate shopping centre in Sudbury is involved in the plans Picture: GREGG BROWN

Babergh District Council’s cabinet approved the blueprint for the Hamilton Road quarter on Thursday night, after years of work to assemble the buildings in the area under one plan.

The vision aims to overhaul the area, which includes Hamilton Road lands, the former bus station and Borehamgate Centre into a modern facility featuring homes, restaurants, cinema, and other retail and leisure offerings.

The cabinet approved the development prospectus, which will now go out nationally to attract investment and developer interest.

Sudbury south councillor and cabinet member for economy, Simon Barrett, said it was a “big deal” for Sudbury.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sudbury bus station in Hamilton Road will be revamped Picture: EMMA BRENNANSudbury bus station in Hamilton Road will be revamped Picture: EMMA BRENNAN (Image: Archant)

“I think it’s a great opportunity for Sudbury. What it does is it means we are serious going to the market,” he said.

While the council does not currently own all the property within the Hamilton Road quarter, the council’s report said that some elements will be dependent on discussions with other landowners and potential for joint ventures.

The prospectus will be issued at the beginning of October, with talks set to take place in December with interested developers.

Preferred partners will then be decided early next year.

The plans come as part of the Vision for Prosperity for Sudbury – a blueprint published in June to unlock the town’s potential which also includes a £1.4million revamp of the Kingfisher Leisure Centre, and proposals for a hotel at Belle Vue Park.

Elsewhere in Sudbury, key housing developments are in the pipeline for the Chilton Woods development, due to be completed by 2020, while a new multi-million pound gallery and museum at Gainsborough House is scheduled to open by 2021.

Council leader John Ward said: “The focus now is very much more towards the leisure rather than retail industry, and trying to promote the nighttime economy in Sudbury.

“Leisure and residential are going to be key aspects of how town centres will evolve over the coming years and sites like this around the country will have that kind of focus. I think we are coming up with the right solution here.”