SOHAM residents are being invited to have their say on plans for the future of the Eastern Gateway area of the town.

SOHAM residents are being invited to have their say on plans for the future of the Eastern Gateway area of the town.

The area, which covers about 30 hectares of land between Weatheralls School and the A142 bypass, was identified as a potential site for new housing and employment in the recent masterplan and now councillors want residents to have their say on how the area can be developed.

Cllr Peter Moakes, chairman of the strategic development committee, said: “The Soham Masterplan Vision was a huge success and had the overwhelming support of those who live and work in the town. They grasped the opportunity to give Soham a future which would transform the area for the better. The key now is to make sure we build on this enthusiasm and make a real difference.

“The exhibition will be the first opportunity to flesh out the ideas which we put forward in the Vision. It will look closely at what is possible in the Eastern Gateway and how it can be best developed to aid the future growth of the town. So from ideas for new jobs to potential shops to the expansion of the local school - you can comment on it all.”

A package of different options and scenarios has been put together by East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) together with Soham Town Council and residents will have the chance to cast their eye over the plans at a special consultation event being held on Monday.

The event is taking place at the Walter Gidney Pavilion on Fountain Lane between 2pm-8pm and council officers will be in attendance to answer questions about the development and also record comments.

The Eastern Gateway area was identified in the town’s Masterplan Vision as a prime site to help shape future growth in the town, with scope for new community facilities, allotments and more public space considered.

At Monday’s consultation, residents will be able to give their thoughts on what could be sited there as well as commenting on options put forward by the council.

The options paper can also be viewed on ECDC’s website at www.eastcambs.gov.uk/consultations/current-consultations or at the council offices from Monday.

Comments can be made on-line or by e-mailing the Forward Planning Team on: ldf@eastcambs.gov.uk, or by writing to East Cambridgeshire District Council, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4EE. Comments need to be made by Wednesday December 15.