Independent Commission on the future of Brandon concludes and next steps to be agreed to shape sustainable growth for the town

West Suffolk Cabinet is set to discuss key initiatives to ensure a better Brandon, based on 52 recommendations by an independent commission.

The council established the Independent Commission on the Future of Brandon to gather evidence, conduct research and explore options that will best grow the prosperity and enhance the wellbeing of current and future residents, while recognising and protecting the sensitive ecological and environmental characteristics of the town and wider area in which it is located.

Now members of the cabinet will discuss the findings of the Commission and the proposed response – including delivering a comprehensive package of initiatives.

The proposals have been split into short and medium-long term initiatives to enable the council to help create solid building blocks which will continue to position Brandon into the future.

They are:

Short term initiatives –

• Lobby central government and parliamentarians on the issues facing Brandon;
• Lobby Natural England to research into the causes of human disturbance of nesting protected species;
• Establish Better Brandon as a reference panel to West Suffolk Council for consultation and engagement, whilst providing a strategic view and lobbying capabilities;
• Work with local partners to improve Brandon skate park and play areas;
• Work with partners to improve measures on the High Street;
• The council’s housing company, Barley Homes, will explore all potential options to deliver new development or redevelopment opportunities within current planning policies and legislation. We will also work with any landowners, developers and registered providers as appropriate;
• Work with Greater Anglia to explore Brandon Station improvements. Noting the complexity, exploring any changes is likely to involve extensive partnership working and commitments; any delivery is likely to be medium to long term; and
• Skills training and employment engagement aligned to local need in Brandon.

Medium to long-term initiatives –

• Continue to build partnerships at strategic level as well as local level;
• Strengthen cross-boundary work;
• Raise aspirations for Brandon towards high value job roles;
• Continue to consider brownfield development opportunities, including Brandon train station; and
• Continue with research and lobbying.

An overall budget of £100,000 has been allocated for West Suffolk Council to support deliverable projects, for example, the skatepark and High Street measures and to lever match funding from other resources and partners.

In addition, funding for improvements to the skate park and play areas will come from the council’s proposed budget for 2026-28, specifically the Leisure Asset Fund.

The council’s company Barley Homes will explore development opportunities within policy constraints. These would be funded from the company’s development fund and its existing loan facility from the council.

Mark Pragnell, an economist with over 30 years’ experience, chaired the commission and was supported by expert advisers and local stakeholders.

The commission found that Brandon’s situation is highly complex, with no simple solution with unique issues such as habitats that hamper much needed development.

Its work confirms that Brandon has much to offer as a place to live, work and visit, but also because of its inability to grow, Brandon has not benefitted as much as other towns.

The commission developed options for future growth in Brandon, modelling a range of scenarios and their viability and impacts.

Given how Brandon’s key assets straddle the county boundary, the Commission believes the future combined authority has to play a pivotal role in addressing and unlocking opportunities and challenges.

On Tuesday, February 3, West Suffolk Cabinet will consider the proposed response to the report of the Independent Commission on the Future of Brandon.

Mr Pragnell, the Brandon commission chair, said: “It was an honour to be asked to chair the Brandon Commission and it has been a privilege working with my fellow commissioners over the past year to meet, listen to and get to know the wonderful residents and businesspeople of Brandon, as well as wider stakeholders.

“Brandon has much to commend it as a place to live, work and visit. But, we have found a town that feels ‘left behind’ and ‘overlooked’, where potential goes untapped and too few of its younger residents see their futures. Key metrics of social and economic wellbeing have stalled or, worse, are in decline.

“Brandon’s malaise can be attributed, at least in part, to the burden placed on it by national environmental and defence policies.

“The town’s growth has been constrained to support the central government’s objective of safeguarding habitat for stone curlew, woodlark and nightjar, while noise from military aircraft based nearby impacts the town’s attractiveness, property values and residents’ wellbeing.

“These national policy objectives create disproportionate detriment for Brandon, compared to other settlements in the Brecks and beyond, which is neither compensated nor mitigated.

“The solutions to Brandon’s challenges will come from local, regional and national political will.

“Our report identifies many areas where, often relatively modest, public intervention – in health, education, transport and more – could practically support Brandon to recover some of what it has lost.”