A Suffolk town's masterplan has been published - but hopes of a new lido powered by Sizewell C nuclear power station have been dashed.

In January 2023, the EADT reported how the outdoor swimming pool, using waste heat from the twin reactor plant, had been included as a suggestion in the draft document which aims to inform and coordinate the regeneration of Leiston over the next ten to 15 years. 

However, the final published plan does not include a specific reference to a lido, but instead talks of building the relationship between Leiston and Sizewell 'by enhancing physical connections and exploring a destination facility at Sizewell'.

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The EADT understands that no discussions had taken place with Sizewell C over the development of a lido, sparking concerns about its inclusion in the document.

Instead, the masterplan focuses on improvements to nine key sites in the town centre, including the Waterloo Centre in Waterloo Avenue, the doctors surgery, the Historic Quarter, the High Street, Church Square, the Co-Op, Market Square, 16a-22b Sizewell Road and Leiston Community Centre.

READ MORE: Suffolk: Lido linked to Sizewell C in town's future plan

Under the plan, the Waterloo Centre would become a community and health hub, potentially housing the doctors surgery, while the town council and library would be relocated to Market Square with the current home being used for a museum and visitor centre.

The document also sets out a transport strategy for the town that includes the possible creation of a one-way system along Main Road, the High Street and Cross Street and the possibility of establishing Leiston as a 20mph zone.

To discourage traffic through the town centre, Valley Road would be closed to certain types of vehicles, a network of safe cycle routes would be created and buses would be re-routed along Seaward Avenue, Sylvester Road, Sizewell Road and Cross Street in line with the one-way system.

READ MORE: Suffolk masterplan, including Sizewell lido, to be published

Leiston town clerk Helen Greengrass said: "It is an overarching masterplan that we support in principle, but elements will come through at different times.

"It is the start of developing a future blueprint for the town."