North Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood Question Time

So last night I attended the North Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood Question Time, and I just wanted to share with you some the things that I shared at that event, which have been based on some of the questions that I have had, not just last night, but also in my conversations with local residents.

So, I’m aware people feel that they weren’t consulted on these plans originally. That was brought up again last night. I have urged the council to publish the details of the consultation that they took in 2017, 2018, and 2019 to engage residents on the local plan.

So because the need for more housing was approved in the 2020 plan by the previous council, this means private developers will have the right to put forward their own planning applications, which will gain approval because the local plan was approved back in 2020.

I don’t want to see this happen. I don’t want to see a private developer build out on Felixstowe, if they don’t care about the long term interests of Felixstowe.

The current plan is being brought forward by the council, and they care far more about building a better design, protecting our local environment, and building something that residents are happy with.

But you must make your views heard. The council are still listening to the views of local residents, and this will help to shape and improve the proposals. I’ve made my views really clear – I want to see an enhanced nature corridor on the site, making it wider than it currently is.

Id like to see more protections for wildlife in the construction phase, and better communications to residents about how they will provide this wildlife protection.

We need to see increased capacity at Felixstowe High School. I know that the school is already struggling with capacity today, and I’m working to make sure that this capacity is increased.

But the council needs to make sure that it is doing all that it can to support that as well.

Finally, the council needs to demand more from future developments, including whoever eventually builds out this site. We have a history of complacency here in Suffolk Coastal when it comes to developers, and we need to make sure that we are demanding more from the for profit developers and that they are investing in the things that our community needs, including the right infrastructure.

I understand there is a lot of frustration, and people have a right to be heard by the council. So please, make sure that you are submitting your views.