Local people are being asked to have their say on housing and leisure proposals for the former Deben High School site in Felixstowe.
A public consultation will commence next week, enabling local people to view and comment on the proposed plans for the former Deben High School site prior to East Suffolk Council submitting a planning application.
The site was transferred to East Suffolk Council from Suffolk County Council on 16 November 2020 and has been earmarked to facilitate the ongoing development of Felixstowe Sports Hub and a new home for Felixstowe Indoor Bowls Club and Cricket Club.
Proposals for the redevelopment also include new housing, in particular affordable homes for the town. In total, the masterplan consists of 61 new homes built to PassivHaus standard, comprising of 32 affordable rented, 10 shared ownership and 19 open market homes, this equates to a 69% affordable homes contribution.
The proposed designs for the properties meet the changing needs of modern living, with the majority being south facing to help reduce energy bills, and will have home-working or office spaces as well as access to outside space either in the form of rear gardens, communal gardens or balconies.
Green spaces have been designed to connect the proposed development to the surrounding community, walking links are proposed between the new development and the park at Valley Walk. The former Assembly Hall will be retained as a community space, with the striking clock tower visible from Garrison Lane.
Cllr Steve Gallant, Leader of East Suffolk Council, said: “We are committed to increasing leisure opportunities and improving the housing mix in Felixstowe, so this is an exciting scheme for the Council and for the town as it will help us to fulfil our ambitions on these two important fronts.
“We want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in the consultation where they can view the exciting plans for the scheme, which showcases how the Council plan to transform this disused brownfield site into a sustainable housing and leisure development for Felixstowe.”
Due to the continuing challenges of Covid-19, the consultation will be taking place online from 12pm on Monday 7 December until 12pm on Monday 14 December. During this time, people can view the proposed plans at www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk and email comments to leisure@eastsuffolk.gov.uk
Once the consultation has closed, the details about the proposals will still be available online and any further comments can be made through the formal planning route once the planning application has been submitted.
View down the mews street towards the seembly hall
View from the cricket grounds
Assembly hall and surrounding housing