Millions in Investment Ap proved for East Suffolk

Thursday, 15 January 2026 06:00

Major investment plans worth almost £107 million have been approved by East Suffolk Council, with funding set to support housing, regeneration and community facilities including in Lowestoft and Leiston.

Councillors have agreed a multi-year capital programme aimed at improving local communities, with projects planned in areas including Lowestoft and Leiston. The programme will now move to the next stage of the budget process before final approval.

Among the key schemes included is government-backed funding to transform brownfield land at Lowestoft’s former Sanyo factory site into new housing. There is also increased investment planned for play equipment and play areas across East Suffolk, alongside funding for the regeneration of Leiston Market Square.

The council says the programme is designed to deliver long-term benefits by improving public spaces, supporting sustainable housing and boosting the local economy. Funding comes from a mix of internal resources and external sources, including the Government’s Towns Fund and Levelling Up Fund.

Alongside this, councillors have approved a separate housing capital budget to support affordable housing development, upgrades and adaptations over the coming years.

A draft medium-term financial strategy has also been agreed, setting out how day-to-day services such as waste collection, environmental services, leisure, planning and parking will be funded. This includes continued support for the Youth Employment Service and work towards the council’s net zero target.

As part of the budget proposals, the council is planning a council tax increase of 2.95%, which would mean an extra £5.67 a year for a Band D household for East Suffolk Council’s share. The authority says the increase is needed to protect core services while managing rising costs and preparing for future local government reorganisation.