Hopes are growing that changes to car parking in a Suffolk village may be introduced to support businesses.

The Wickham Market Town Team has been in further discussions with Suffolk Coastal District Council (SCDC) over the introduction of an hour of free parking at its three sites in the village. Further calls for discounted season tickets for staff working locally have also been discussed.

The proposals, which are a key part of the Town Team’s plans to rejuvenate the village, had been rejected in SCDC’s parking review in December for financial reasons.

The news was met with disappointment from the Town Team and councillors in the village, who hoped the parking changes would have supported businesses. However, the district council’s decision to include the proposals in a new public consultation has been welcomed as another opportunity to get the changes carried through.

Town Team chairman Colin Owens praised the council’s approach. “SCDC has been very open-minded in looking at our proposals and receptive to the community’s view – they’ve been very helpful,” he said.

Councillor Andrew Nunn, who is responsible for SCDC’s car parks, said no decision had yet been made on car parking in Wickham Market but the proposals had been included in the consultation.

“We welcome the positive contribution Wickham Market has made to this process and will continue to work with them to find a solution which meets local needs,” he added.

To respond to the consultation visit SCDC’s website or its offices in Melton Hill, Woodbridge, during office hours. Responses must be made by January 23.