A new guide inspired by an award-winning designer is to be created by councils.

The Suffolk Design Guide will provide ground rules for planning applications for future projects in the county and will be developed with the input of residents.

HemingwayDesign, run by Wayne Hemingway – who is developing plans for a revitalisation of Lowestoft's south beach alongside plans for other towns in UK such as Margate and Morecombe – is helping to consult on the guide.

His plans for Lowestoft include a renovation of the East Point Pavilion, a brand new pagoda to become a restaurant or café, and seafront beach huts big enough for people to stay in overnight.

Local authorities in Suffolk are asking people to have their say on the design guide in order to help ensure views of people play a key role in future planning decisions.

The survey, available at www.suffolkdesign.uk, asks people to say what they do and don't like about the way Suffolk is currently built, from its public buildings to street lighting.

This guide will also be the first of its kind to incorporate the views of people who live in the area it affects.

Wayne Hemingway said: 'Whether you live in, work in, study in or visit the county, whether you have left to live elsewhere but care about Suffolk, we want you to have your say in the creation of a Suffolk Design guide that will help new development and initiatives contribute to the county's unique identity.

'Opinions are critically important and this online survey will give as many people as possible the chance to have their say.

'It can be completed in as little as 10 minutes, but we also hope that people will take their time and really put some thought in to helping make Suffolk the best place it can be.'

The survey is being led by a joint team including all of Suffolk's authorities, and will remain open until Wednesday, October 31.

Following the survey, the councils will then work with a variety of other groups including amenity groups, architects and parish councils to finalise the finished guide.