The Boundary Committee announced proposals on Monday to create an authority for Greater Ipswich and one for the rest of Suffolk without Lowestoft – although it said there was 'merit' in a single unitary for the whole county except Lowestoft.

Under the plans, Lowestoft would join with a single unitary covering all of Norfolk, while smaller community boards could be created in both counties with budgets to spend on local priorities.

St Edmundsbury, Forest Heath and parts of Babergh, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk Coastal and Waveney districts would come together to form an authority with a population of around 395,000.

St Edmundsbury borough councillor Paul Farmer said: "We're against it at the moment – we were very surprised that the West Suffolk unitary, which was supported by six councils out of eight, doesn't appear to have been considered. For staff and councillors, that's a disappointment."

Forest Heath District Council leader, Cllr Geoffrey Jaggard, said: "We are extremely disappointed by this recommendation which, if implemented, would ignore the feelings of our local residents."

He added: "This does not appear to be a good solution for the people in West Suffolk or for local democracy."

Suffolk County Council leader Cllr Jeremy Pembroke said: "I think it's an odd decision. I thought it was possible they might come up with a greater Ipswich, but I'm surprised by the size of it. I simply don't understand the rationale, but I'm pleased the One Suffolk concept is still very much in the frame."

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