A BLUEPRINT for major development across Waveney is approaching the final few days of consultation.Local residents are being asked to give their views about the future redevelopment of 14 sites in Lowestoft and the surrounding villages, and four sites in Southwold and Reydon.

A BLUEPRINT for major development across Waveney is approaching the final few days of consultation.

Local residents are being asked to give their views about the future redevelopment of 14 sites in Lowestoft and the surrounding villages, and four sites in Southwold and Reydon.

Waveney's Local Development Framework forms part of ambitious new proposals for the district, which have been consulted upon since November, as part of the council's 'preferred sites for future development.'

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

Given the East of England plan requires that 'a minimum of 6,960 new homes should be built in Waveney between 2001 and 2025,' the LDF report mentions that the council has already made 'good progress' towards meeting this target with sites for over 4,300 new dwellings already identified.

One of the biggest development projects in Lowestoft includes plans for a cemetery on 3.83ha of agricultural land south of the Morrison's supermarket in Gisleham.

With people currently having to travel to Gorleston for the nearest cremation services, Waveney's proposals also include a crematorium for the same site.

The council's development plan said: 'There is a need to allocate more burial land in Lowestoft, since the existing cemeteries are becoming full. The area would also benefit from a new crematorium, since no facilities currently exist for cremation services within the district.'

The favoured area is located adjacent to the existing landfill site beside Church Road and the A12.

With 'significant shortages in open space' throughout Lowestoft, Waveney's extensive plans include creating new play and outdoor spaces in the district's communities. An eight acre site, which was once used as playing fields for the old Reydon High School on Wangford Road, could be used to provide community sports fields with a pavilion and changing rooms.

The report also suggests that land at Eversley playing field in Wangford Road, Reydon, could be used as a village green. Land near Castleton Avenue, in Carlton Colville, has also been identified to potentially be converted into allotments.

With thousands of houses due to be built across the district, large areas of land are being set aside as proposed areas for residential development.

Although most of the new development will be in Lowestoft and the surrounding villages, Waveney's market towns are expected to accommodate between 15 and 25pc of the new homes being built.

The CEFAS laboratory in Pakefield could be converted into homes and brownfield sites on Monckton Avenue and at Neeves Pit have both been earmarked for houses.

In Southwold, a strip of land next to the marsh on Station Road could also be used for affordable houses.

With the eight-week consultation period due to end next Monday the council is seeking the views of locals. And among the five questions asked for feedback in the Lowestoft area are:

Which of the suggested sites in north Lowestoft is the best option for relocating the Lowestoft and Yarmouth Rugby Club and developing new facilities for rugby and other sports?

Whether the former Ashley Garden Centre on London Road, Kessingland should be allocated for future development, and if so, what should it be used for?

'Once the council has considered the responses to the preferred sites, a final draft will be published for consultation,' a council spokesman said.

This is likely to take place in June this year, ahead of a further six-week period of consultation, prior to a public hearing that's due to take place around February 2010, and the final Development Plan Document being adopted in July 2010.

The closing date for comments is January 12 and responses can be emailed to planningpolicy@waveney.gov.uk or posted to Lowestoft Town Hall, Lowestoft, NR32 1HS.

The full documents are available via www.waveney.gov.uk