sudbury vision
ambitions for sudbury town centre
Described by John Betjeman as 'Probably the finest urban space in East Anglia', our town centre is a unique and special place which is enjoyed by both local residents and visitors from further afield. Its continued prosperity is important both for the social benefit of the local community and for the economic wellbeing of the town whilst preserving our unique heritage.
To ensure that Sudbury Town Centre is fit to face the challenges of the future and the shifting function of town centres, the Council's 'Ambitions' document sets out a number of ideas aimed at preserving the vitality of the area by ensuring that it remains an attractive place to visit in the years to come. The 'Ambitions for Sudbury Town Centre' document was adopted by the full Council in July 2018.
The plan, which has been prepared with the support of Babergh District Council, is the outcome of several years' work, initially carried out by Sudbury's Town Steering Group. This work has laid the foundations and been adopted by Babergh District Council to inform the ongoing 'Sudbury Vision' - see below for plans open for public comment and consultation.
Sudbury vision Steering Group
The Sudbury Steering Group was formed in October 2019 to to bring co-ordination, leadership and greater consensus to the many opportunities and overlapping issues that will contribute to the growth development, renaissance and sustainability of Sudbury as a vibrant and important local centre. The group comprises representatives from Sudbury Town Council, the Sudbury business and visitor sector, Babergh District Council and Suffolk County Council. The group has no decision-making powers.
Sudbury vision Steering Group -open meetings
2020 agendas and meeting notes
2021 agendas and meeting notes
Agenda - 18 January 2021
Notes - 18 January 2021
Next Sudbury Vision Group Open Meeting:
Date: Monday 22nd March 2021
Time: 16:00 - 18:00
Venue: This is a TEAMS virtual meeting.
Members of the public wishing to observe the meeting must e-mail:
sudburyvision@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk by midday on Friday 19th March.
Joining instructions will be provided.
BELLE VUE park updates
background
Belle Vue Park is an Award Winning public park in the heart of Sudbury; with its manicured gardens, play area, outdoor gym, skate park, tennis courts, pop up cafe and large open space perfect for picnics.
The Belle Vue site, the park, swimming pool and house was the responsibility of the Sudbury Borough Council up to 1974. It then passed to the Babergh District Council (BDC). Since 1974 the house has been used as Council offices and other purposes but was vacated in 2015 and not maintained since.
The pool closed and the site has been used as a BMX site but that has also closed. Various uses have since been proposed for the site. In December 2020 BDC announced they would be marketing a parcel of land on the Belle Vue sites that would include the house and land including part of the old swimming pool site.
february 2021
REPORT OF THE BELLE VUE WORKING PARTY TO THE SUDBURY TOWN COUNCIL
At the meeting of the full Sudbury Town Council on 9th February 2021 the members discussed the report below from the Belle Vue working group and accepted their recommendations that:
• The whole of the existing swimming pool site should be utilised for the entrance to the park in order to ensure an attractive green sight line from King Street.
• Any new development on the Belle Vue site should incorporate the existing structure of Belle Vue, but in any event the development should be sensitive and not add to the existing building mass.
Artist’s impression of how a suitable entrance to Belle Vue Park might look when viewed from King Street. Credit: Belle Vue Community Bid 2021
December 2020
In December 2020 Babergh District Council began to move forward a sale of part of the Belle Vue site (the house & part of the old swimming pool).
The Public Notice and plan identifying the approximate area can be accessed via the links below.
Public Notice for Babergh District Council Land and Buildings
S123(2A) Notice Area for Disposal (Click image for full view)
These plans were discussed at Sudbury Town Council's Extraordinary Full Council Meeting on 21st December 2020.
Visit our Committee meeting page to watch meetings, download agendas and meeting minutes.
Market Hill
Public engagement on Design Concept 2020
Click image for Market Hill concept
In partnership with Suffolk County Council, Babergh have commissioned WSP Consultants to continue with progress of the Sudbury Vision town centre regeneration programme.
An exhibition held at St. Peter's Church in January 2020 welcomed over 800 attendees, plus feedback from the public. WSP used those views - and those of local stakeholder groups - to produce a more detailed high-level design concept for Market Hill.
We are now bringing this work back to the public for further feedback.
View the Market Hill concept design
View the Market Hill concept design (Market Day)
What Next For Sudbury?
sudbury vision public exhibition 2020
On Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 January 2020 Babergh District Council hosted the What next for Sudbury? public exhibition at St Peter's in Sudbury. Thank you to everyone took time to attend, ask questions and leave valuable feedback.
The event showcased developments already taking place across the town, including investment in Kingfisher Leisure Centre and St Peter’s regeneration project as well as sharing updates on future proposals for areas such as Belle Vue and Gainsborough’s House.
The event gave residents their first glimpse at plans for the proposed hotel and restaurant on the site of the former swimming pool at Belle Vue ahead of any planning application being submitted, as well as more information on proposals for the future use of Belle Vue House and investment in facilities for Belle Vue Park.
The event also provided an opportunity to share the findings of the recent town centre study commissioned by Suffolk County Council and supported by Babergh District Council.