Ian Clarke Thousands of people will have their say from today on radical plans which will transform Thetford.Six thousand new homes and 5000 jobs are proposed as well as improvements to the town centre, a new country park and enterprise park and a range of other community facilities.

Ian Clarke

Thousands of people will have their say from today on radical plans which will transform Thetford.

Six thousand new homes and 5,000 jobs are proposed as well as improvements to the town centre, a new country park and enterprise park and a range of other community facilities.

The expansion - the biggest since the town trebled in size in the 1960s - is outlined in the Thetford Area Action Plan (TAAP).

A range of studies have been carried out and last summer about 1,000 responses were received as part of the first phase of consultation.

Today the second round of consultation starts - known as the "preferred options" stage - and people who live in, work in and visit the town are being asked to contribute.

A leaflet is being distributed giving a summary of what is planned and a series of meetings are being held during the consultation period, which runs until April 3.

Ann Steward, Breckland Council's executive member for planning and environment, said: "Thetford has a unique opportunity to make

major changes which will affect

the lives of everyone in the town.

We can shape where the new

homes and jobs should be, how the town centre will look, what facilities and infrastructure are needed,

how our communities grow harmoniously and how the town is perceived.

"This is not just about growth; it is about improvement and building a healthy future for Thetford."

Leaflets are being delivered around Thetford and can also be picked up from the library, Breckland House, Peddars Way and Thetford Town Council offices.

The summary leaflet and the full document can be viewed on the Moving Thetford Forward website, www.movingthetfordforward.com.

A community consultation event is on Tuesday, March 3, at the Carnegie Room, 6.30pm arrivals for 7pm

start.

There will also be a Thetford Society special meeting on Tuesday, March 10, at the United Reformed Church, Earls Street, 7.30pm.

Moving Thetford Forward group attend school assemblies at Charles Burrell, Rosemary Musker and Thetford Grammar schools from March 2-6.

Comments can also be left online at consult.breckland.gov.uk/portal.

The EDP is running a special series of features next month looking back at the massive growth of Thetford in the 1960s and looking ahead to what the new expansion will mean for the town.