More than 9,000 new homes and proposals for 5,000 new jobs are included in the final draft Local Plan for Waveney.

The plan sets out the strategy, policies and proposed sites for future growth in the area up to 2036, setting out a strategy for the Lowestoft area, Beccles and Worlingham, Halesworth and Holton, Bungay, Southwold and Reydon and the remaining rural areas.

Following a consultation, the plan has been considered by the district council to be sound and will now be published for an eight week period running until May 24, during which stakeholders and public can make final 'representations', explaining whether they support the plan or not.

It will then be submitted to Government for independent examination into its soundness.

David Ritchie, Waveney's cabinet member for planning and coastal management, said: 'It is important that we listen to local stakeholders and this final draft contains some changes to the original plan based on feedback we received. The breadth and quality of this feedback was impressive and the Local Plan will provide an important framework for our ambitions to bring further jobs, housing and prosperity to Waveney.'

The final draft is similar to first draft Local Plan consulted on in 2017 with a number of changes made to take into account comments raised. There have been changes to some site boundaries and masterplans, as well as the removal of some sites and the addition of others.

The plan incorporates plans for 9,235 new homes in the district and 5,000 new jobs and will continue to apply to the area following the creation of East Suffolk Council.

A series of drop-in sessions have been organised for residents to talk to planning officers and provide advice on how to make a representation.

These will be held at Blyburgate Hall in Beccles on April 18 from 2pm to 8pm, the Rifle Hall in Halesworth on April 19 from 5pm to 8pm, Reydon Village Hall on April 24 from 5pm to 8pm, the Fisher Theatre in Bungay on April 25 from 5pm to 8pm and finally at the Waveney District Council offices at Riverside in Lowestoft on May 1 from 2pm to 8pm.

The final draft can be viewed online at www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/newwaveneylocalplan