Community provides feedback for next stage of Town Centre Masterplan
People in Leiston-cum-Sizewell have been providing feedback on exciting plans for development in the heart of the town centre.
The Leiston Town Centre Masterplan was undertaken by East Suffolk Council in partnership with members of the Leiston Place Board in 2023.
The document provides a blueprint for future development within the town centre, setting out 12 key principles, which include:
• Fully realising, and becoming independent of, the opportunities for Leiston presented by Sizewell nuclear power station, including employment, training and footfall.
• Embracing and strengthening the relationship between Leiston and its wider surroundings, including improving access to the coast and countryside and bringing nature into the town
• Embracing and reinforcing the strong sense of community and the working town character of Leiston
The Masterplan also provided concept designs for nine development sites in and around the town centre.
Market Square is one of the defined sites, with an overall vision to “provide a vibrant and distinctive additional street and space in the town centre, which complements rather than competes with the existing High Street and reinforces the unique character of the town”.
As a first step in the development, East Suffolk Council and Leiston Community Land Trust have commissioned IF_DO to provide a design and feasibility study for the land within the Market Square site, which is owned by East Suffolk Council.
The Design and Feasibility work has been funded by Sizewell C ltd as part of its continued support of the Town Centre Masterplan.
On 24 July, an open event was held for members of the public to review the plans to date and provide feedback to the project team. More than 100 people attended the event and provided helpful insight into the design. Anyone unable to attend can still view plans online.
The final report is due to be completed at the end of September, with the next step to establish a viable option for delivery and funding for the development.
In addition to the Market Square development, East Suffolk Council has recently undertaken temporary repairs to buildings along Sizewell Road to improve the overall streetscape. The properties are included within the Market Square proposal to establish their future use.
Cllr Toby Hammond, East Suffolk Council cabinet member for Economic Development and Transport, said: “The Leiston Town Centre Masterplan has provided the people of Leiston with an opportunity have a genuine, meaningful say on future development in their town.
“Their input will be valuable in taking each element of the Masterplan forward towards implementation and we’re excited to see things already beginning to take shape. Thank you to everyone, including our partners, who have worked so hard and so collaboratively to get the Masterplan to this stage.”
Over the coming months members of the Leiston Place Board will be looking at other initiatives within the masterplan which can be brought forward.
Cllr Lesley Hill, Mayor, Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council, said: “We are delighted to see progress in the Masterplan for Leiston-cum-Sizewell.
“The feasibility study is an important step in developing plans for the Market Square which will mark a significant change in our town.
“It will provide a new centre where people can mix and mingle with opportunities for potential housing and small business ventures. We look forward to seeing sight of the proposals and other future developments.”
Russ Rainger, Chairman of Leiston Community Land Trust, added: “The Community Land Trust proposed an Urban Plan for Leiston and are pleased to see our vision reflected in the Leiston Regeneration Masterplan.
“We are grateful to Sizewell C for the grant that has enabled the IF_DO work. This is an important step in the design and redevelopment of the town centre.
“We are eager to continue working in partnership with the Place Board to deliver these opportunities.”
