Independent commission launched to help secure a better future of Brandon

20 Mar 2025

A new commission has been launched to provide independent, evidence-based and locally-grounded advice to guide the future development of Brandon.

The Independent Commission on the Future of Brandon (Brandon commission) has been funded by West Suffolk Council 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.

Mark Pragnell, a respected economist with over 30 years’ experience, has been appointed as chair of the commission and will be supported by expert advisers and local stakeholders.

The commission will develop options for future growth in Brandon, modelling a range of scenarios and their viability and impacts. In light of the evidence received, the commission will produce a report for West Suffolk Council, setting out the findings and recommendations.

Information and updates on the commissions progress will be available on the Brandon commission webpage.

Engaging with the community will play an essential role in informing the commission. To gather invaluable insight from local people, an online survey has been launched to understand what people value about Brandon and how they would like to see it improve in the future. Alongside the online survey, public meetings will also be set up in the coming months for face to face discussions.

Individuals and organisations are invited to express their interest in being a member of the appropriate stakeholder consultative group: residents; businesses; ecological and environmental; and public sector and statutory authorities. Members of the groups will be invited to give evidence to the commission and attend, observe and contribute to full meetings.

To express interest and find out more about membership of one of the groups, please email: brandon.commission@westsuffolk.gov.uk. 

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, Cabinet Member for Growth at West Suffolk Council, said: “Brandon has all the building blocks of a thriving town; however, it has been unable to grow in the way a town of this size would usually be expected to grow due to various constraints, specifically its proximity to a Special Protection Area which is home to treasured bird species including the Stone Curlew.

“The council is committed to achieving a solution and to successfully deliver sustainable growth in Brandon, whist respecting the unique nature of the town and working within the current constraints and legislation.

“Through establishing the independent commission, advice and research can be gathered in a credible, open and thorough way to explore viable options for the future of Brandon to benefit the community, businesses and the economy.

“I am delighted that Mark Pragnell, an experienced economist who is widely respected for his balanced and unbiased judgement, has accepted our invitation to chair the commission. His knowledge of rural policy and extensive background advising on economic development and sustainable local growth will be invaluable.”

Mark Pragnell, Brandon commission chair, said: “It’s a real privilege to have been asked to chair the Brandon commission. This is both essential work for Brandon and a potential pathfinder for rural communities across the country.

“I look forward to establishing a commission membership that will ensure all relevant voices, from residents to national bodies, are able to engage and shape the research. Our end goal is to reach a mutually agreed understanding of the position with regards to the options for future development in Brandon, which we can only achieve with the support of stakeholders.”

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