A majority of people support building between 200 and 300 new homes in Saxmundham in the years ahead, a survey has revealed.
Hundreds of people also said new medical facilities were a top priority for the East Suffolk town, followed by children’s play areas and indoor sports facilities.
Almost 1,000 people took part in the survey, designed to give people a say on the town’s upcoming neighbourhood plan for the future.
The majority of those surveyed supported the creation of 200 to 300 new homes in the town over the next 18 years, with more than a third of respondents saying that new developments should be in the east of the town, near Church Hill.
Residents were also asked what sort of community facilities were needed in the town, with more than 800 saying the top priority should be new medical facilities, followed by children’s play areas and indoor sports facilities.
Following a fire which gutted Saxmundham’s railway station in 2018, more than 700 of those who took part said they wanted to see development nearby - including new businesses and work opportunities.
Jeremy Smith, chairman of Saxmundham Town Council, said: “The results of the Saxmundham Household Survey provide a unique insight into what the residents of our town think, need and want.
“We believe that this report of our survey – with its detailed data - provides the most in-depth ‘window’ into a community’s views, in all their diversity, with all their optimism and pessimism, of any east Suffolk town in recent history.”
Christine Buttery, community volunteer member and vice-chairman of the Saxmundham Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee, said: “It was very pleasing to see such strong support from the residents of Saxmundham for environmental improvements to the High Street and the Station area.
“We hope that improvements to these areas – such as wider pavements and tighter traffic controls - will create pleasant public spaces for everyone to enjoy.”
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