But fears are surfacing that the deal would mean sacrificing part of the town's much-loved Belle Vue park and gardens.

Babergh District Council wants to exchange land at Belle Vue with a site next to Sudbury bus station owned by retirement homes developer McCarthy and Stone.

It would give a huge boost to hopes for new shops, homes and leisure facilities on the overgrown former builders' merchant's depot which has been disused for years.

McCarthy and Stone, which has so far been denied planning consent for retirement flats on its land, would be able to build them at Belle Vue instead.

A council spokesman said so far only a very general principle had been discussed and it was impossible to say how much land would be involved.

Belle Vue House, next to the park, is already under threat of demolition to make way for a new health centre.

The Victorian building was once the home of Sudbury Borough Council and is now used by West Suffolk College adult classes, Sudbury Citizens' Advice Bureau and the Stour Valley Old People's Centre.

Babergh councillors have allowed talks to start with the town's Hardwicke House practice over redeveloping the site.

The council also hopes community rooms would be included, where the current users could be rehoused in future.

Their spokesman said both Hardwicke House and McCarthy and Stone had indicated support in principle for such a scheme.

Nick Ridley, Babergh's strategy committee chairman, said: "What started as a speculative approach by the Hardwick House practice to buy a freehold site has developed into a much broader, visionary opportunity to realise an improved Sudbury town centre, encompassing better and more accessible facilities for all.

"The proposed land swap would double the benefit to the town of this once-in-a- generation opportunity.

"Our priority is now to fully engage with Sudbury Town Council to partner with us and others in helping to develop this wonderful opportunity for the town."

But Mayor of Sudbury John Sayers said he was disappointed Babergh had not spoken to the town council before releasing its latest statement.
"People in this town are very anxious about the future of the park and Babergh's actions are not helping," he said.
"They should have at least consulted us and discussed the matter before making any announcements."

He said decisions now about Belle Vue park would affect generations of people.

"This is a vital breathing space close to the town centre and its future must be debated openly and democratically," he added.

Valerie Moulton, who runs the Stour Valley Centre, said that despite Babergh's claim that users of Belle Vue House had been kept informed of developments she had heard nothing officially.

"Common sense says they must be intending to take a fair chunk of the park, because they will need space for car parking as well as the buildings," she said.