A BLUEPRINT for major development across Waveney in the next 20 years is on schedule to be submitted to the secretary of state in June.New sports facilities and homes look set to be built in the future, as 16 sites in Lowestoft and the surrounding villages and four sites in Southwold and Reydon form part of the 'ambitious' Waveney Local Development Framework (LDF).

A BLUEPRINT for major development across Waveney in the next 20 years is on schedule to be submitted to the secretary of state in June.

New sports facilities and homes look set to be built in the future, as 16 sites in Lowestoft and the surrounding villages and four sites in Southwold and Reydon form part of the 'ambitious' Waveney Local Development Framework (LDF).

Waveney District Council has selected its favoured sites as part of the new LDF, which will help to guide development in the next decade and beyond

Last night, Waveney District Council's cabinet members were updated on the preferred sites for future development.

These will then be discussed by full council next Thursday, where approval will be sought to publish the Site Specific Allocations Document. The next stage is to submit the document to the secretary of state in June for public examination ahead of a public hearing which is likely to take place in October .

Focusing on new housing, sporting developments, a new primary school, burial site and cemetery, playing fields, community buildings and health facilities, this visionary document for the district is likely to lead to a jobs bonanza.

The East of England plan requires a minimum of 6,960 new homes should be built in Waveney between 2001 and 2025, and the LDF shows that about 4,300 new homes are expected to be built across the district - with the majority planned for Lowestoft. One of the biggest development projects in Lowestoft features plans for a cemetery and crematorium on 3.83ha of agricultural land south of the Morrison's supermarket in Gisleham.

Following last year's consultation, projects that provoked the most response were brownfield sites on Monckton Avenue and at Neeves Pit, which have both been earmarked for houses, and the relocation of the Lowestoft and Yarmouth Rugby Club to develop new facilities for rugby and other sports.

'Considerable concerns' - according to the latest council report - were expressed over the alternative sites for L&Y in north Lowestoft at land west of Dip Farm, off Corton Road, or at land north of Corton Long Lane.

The thriving community-based sports club may have to move to a new site and talks are taking place between the rugby club and Waveney District Council with a site at Carlton Colville being considered.