Suffolk County councillor Phillip French, who represents Haverhill Cangle, said he had ‘deep reservations’ about proposals by the Boundary Committee For England to replace the local government system in Suffolk.

The changes, which are currently under consultation until September 26, would see two unitary authorities established in the county – one for the Ipswich and Felixstowe area and the other covering the rest of Suffolk.

Lowestoft would be governed by a Norfolk authority.

Cllr French said: “I can’t see what’s wrong with the services we’ve got now which people are used to.

“A unitary authority is just going to be bigger and more unwieldy.”

Cllr French also believes the investment into Haverhill, administered under the current system, such as the new cinema complex, refurbishment of the leisure centre, Jubilee Walk upgrades and the arrival of Tesco, could come to an end should the unitary authority be created.

He said: “We have to say to ourselves, is that going to be the end of stuff being brought into Haverhill?

“I think it could have some implications in terms of shops in the town centre, because St Edmundsbury as a landlord has some spaces and it makes me wonder what’s going to happen to that.

“I can only hope myself and other councillors are proved wrong and that it does work and it works well.”

Karen Knight, county councillor for Haverhill East and Kedington, said: “The thing I feel most strongly about is that this is something that has been forced on us by central government. It has not come out of the county council.

“We’ve got to ensure the best deal for the people of Haverhill and that we don’t get left behind. We are on the cusp of three counties and that sometimes can cause difficulties.”

steve.barton@haverhillecho.com