HALESWORTH residents are being asked for their views on a possible site for long-awaited improved sports facilities for the town. Waveney District Council has just published its vision of possible development sites in Halesworth, with land in Holton around Fair View Road and Norwich Road recommended as a potential site for playing fields.

HALESWORTH residents are being asked for their views on a possible site for long-awaited improved sports facilities for the town.

Waveney District Council has just published its vision of possible development sites in Halesworth, with land in Holton around Fair View Road and Norwich Road recommended as a potential site for playing fields.

The move was welcomed by Tony Goldson, chairman of Halesworth Playing Fields Association (PFA), who said the association had been looking for a suitable site for many years and were keen to hear residents' views.

“We have been eagerly anticipating the release of documents detailing sites for future development in the town, as we've been working hard to ensure that sporting facilities played a prominent role in any plans for Halesworth. We are, therefore, very pleased to see a parcel of land has been recommended for this purpose.

“We want to ensure this project begins on a firm footing and delivers the sporting facilities Halesworth deserves. Support from residents will be vital,” he added.

David Gallagher, Waveney's head of partnership management, said that there was a long-standing need to improve sports facilities in Halesworth, and that the council was working with the PFA to provide new playing fields and better sports facilities.

He said: “The very nature of the land around Halesworth and Holton have made it difficult to find a level site with sufficient scope to provide sustainable facilities, close to town and with good accessibility for the local community. However, we were committed to addressing this issue and have put forward an area of land that we feel meets the needs identified by the PFA, including the provision of football, cricket and rugby pitches.

“If approved, this land will provide a foundation for the creation of Halesworth's future sporting facilities and we need to know what people think.

“We intend to work in partnership with Halesworth PFA on this project and join in their call for residents to take part in this consultation.”

Mr Goldson said the council's public exhibition would be running at Halesworth Library until Sunday and the association would be holding its own event to obtain further feedback - details will be available shortly.

Visit the LDF Site Specific Allocations page of Waveney District Council's website: www.waveney.gov.uk/Planning/Planning+Policy/Local+Development+Framework/ldf_site_specific_allocations. You can also email planningolicy@waveney.gov.uk or call (01502) 523029/523068.

The consultation will close on Monday, January 12.