On 6 November 2024, Felixstowe Town Council finalised a statement on the North Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood Development at its Ordinary Council Meeting.
The full statement, which was issued to East Suffolk Council today, can be read below:
“I am writing on behalf of Felixstowe Town Council to provide the corporate response to the North Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood (NFGN) masterplan consultation. Felixstowe Town Council carefully considered the proposals at its meeting on 6th November 2024, following a briefing session held on 8th October, attended by representatives from East Suffolk Council and members of Felixstowe Town Council.
Given that the housing allocations in the Local Plan were calculated prior to 2020, Felixstowe Town Council requests that East Suffolk Council pause the development process. The Council seeks a reassessment of Felixstowe’s housing needs, particularly in light of changes post-Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impacts of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In addition, the Council requests that adequate secondary school capacity be secured before any plans for the development proceed.
Notwithstanding East Suffolk Council’s consideration of the request to pause the development, several key areas are identified below for further exploration to ensure alignment with the community’s needs.
- Leisure Facilities
Felixstowe Town Council welcomes the opportunity for Felixstowe to host a state-of-the-art leisure centre. A single, multi-purpose facility is favoured, providing modern, inclusive amenities that promote physical activity and wellbeing. Including an eight-lane swimming pool and six-court sports hall. The Council requests that the development include not only traditional sports facilities but also informal and natural leisure spaces, such as the Grove woodland and Eastward Ho, which must be preserved and enhanced.
Connectivity to the new leisure facilities is critical to ensure access by sustainable and public transport, as well as by private car, for all residents, including those currently served by the seafront leisure centre and Brackenbury Sports Centre. Furthermore, any redevelopment of the existing seafront leisure centre site should align with SCLP 12.16, focusing on imaginative tourist facilities. Comprehensive consultation should take place ahead of any closure of existing leisure sites.
- Housing
Felixstowe Town Council acknowledges the importance of meeting housing targets, including a 30% affordable housing provision, which is anticipated to deliver approximately 500 affordable homes, of which 250 are expected to be social housing. While the Council understands that 25% of the housing stock will be apartments and that density will vary between 30–50 dwellings per hectare, it is recommended that higher-density housing be considered in suitable areas to allow for increased green space.
Felixstowe Town Council advocates for a housing mix that supports downsizing (e.g. bungalows) and first-time buyers. The Council also encourages East Suffolk Council to retain ownership of as much social housing as possible to ensure long-term affordability.
Community-led housing and self-build opportunities should be fully explored to diversify the housing options within the development. Felixstowe Town Council emphasises the need to consult closely with disability groups to ensure adaptable housing is included, and that accessibility throughout the site is maximised, exceeding national policy requirements.
As East Suffolk Council is a major landowner in this project, Felixstowe Town Council expects the housing quality to be exemplary, exceeding current building standards to ensure longevity (well beyond 30–50 years) and achieving net-zero carbon standards. Renewable energy solutions are requested, rather than the use of gas boilers, with regular reviews recommended to incorporate future innovations over the development’s timespan.
- Green Spaces
Felixstowe Town Council advocates for publicly accessible usable green spaces to be maintained and expanded where possible. Allocations of public open space need to be of sufficient size to be usable for recreation and leisure activities. Open space which is not usable, such as grass verges, should not be counted towards the total allocation of public open space. East Suffolk Council is advised to clarify its interpretation of the area referred to as Eastward Ho and to delineate this clearly on all relevant maps and plans. This will help avoid any ambiguity regarding the area’s extent. The Council supports upgrading playing pitches at Eastward Ho – which should not be 3G/artificial pitches but remain as grass – and endorses the creation of a Country Park to serve the community and promote outdoor leisure.
Existing natural assets, such as the Grove woodland, should be protected, and any development should provide opportunities for enhancement of these spaces for peaceful enjoyment by all residents.
- Allotments
Felixstowe Town Council requests East Suffolk Council to provide additional allotment land within the development, which the Town Council would expect to manage. Other community-growing initiatives that encourage local food production and engagement with green spaces are also supported.
- Infrastructure
Connectivity is crucial to the success of the NFGN development, both internally and across Felixstowe. Felixstowe Town Council advocates for the inclusion of dedicated cycleways and footpaths, with consideration given to a footbridge to improve accessibility and integration with existing communities. While vehicle access through the site is constrained, the Council stresses the importance of improvements to the current road network and public transport links, including bus routes and well-maintained shelters, to help minimise reliance on private car use.
The Council also stresses the need to enhance existing medical services to support the growing population. This includes improved facilities at Felixstowe Community Hospital, increased dental care capacity, and an upgrade to the town’s library services.
Retail development near the leisure centre should be focused on meeting the needs of the local community, rather than detracting from Felixstowe’s town centre offer.
- Education
Education provision is a significant concern for Felixstowe Town Council. While Suffolk County Council is responsible for ensuring adequate school places, the Council would like to play an active role in this process. Investment in primary and secondary school places is essential, with a particular focus on post-16 educational opportunities with a skill centre for vocational courses, to support the aspirations of young people in Felixstowe. No child living in Felixstowe should be required to leave the town to attend school.
Felixstowe Town Council looks forward to East Suffolk Council’s response to this statement. The Town Council remains open to further dialogue to ensure the best possible outcome for Felixstowe’s residents”.