People have until next Friday to have their say on the first phase of a masterplan for Haverhill town centre.

Over the past four weeks the public have been asked for their views on what the independent town centre planning experts think are the broad ‘issues and options’ that need to be considered in preparing the masterplan – work which has been informed by previous consultations. This part of the consultation closes on April 17.

Views from the public will then shape the development of a draft masterplan for Haverhill town centre which will be available to view during the second phase of the consultation from June 8 to July 17.

A spokeswoman for the ONE Haverhill group, which is leading the consultation, said: “In the Vision 2031 plan for Haverhill it was identified that a new town centre masterplan was needed to guide planners to what the community wants its centre to look like in the future.

“During the two phase consultation a range of issues will be examined including the type and mix of uses that could be accommodated in the town centre, how people move around the town centre, and ways that town centre streets and spaces can be enhanced and made more attractive.

“The masterplan will also identify a range of projects that can deliver beneficial change for Haverhill and build on the success of existing investment in the town in the short, medium and long term.”

The masterplan, which it is hoped will be completed in September, will provide a more detailed framework specifically covering the town centre that will build upon the strategy in Haverhill Vision 2031.

It is being prepared as a formal ‘supplementary planning document’ with the aim of it also being adopted by St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

The public can give their views during phase one via an online questionnaire online at www.onehaverhill.co.uk or by filling in paper copies available at locations including Haverhill Library, Haverhill House and Haverhill Arts Centre.

An information stand will also be at the Sanofi staff canteen from 12pm to 2pm on Monday.

In addition, community and business groups will be visited by ONE Haverhill, which includes councils, the business community, the police, voluntary sector, education and health organisations, Havebury Housing and Abbeycroft Leisure.

Previously, the borough council has led the consultation on Haverhill’s town centre masterplan, but this time it has asked ONE Haverhill to deliver the consultation guided by independent planning experts.