Great Finborough Parish Council

16/02/2026

Notice of road closures in our area:

Location: C439 Combs Lane, Combs/C439 Combs Lane, Stowmarket (from Fen cottages to Baldwin Road) and C439 Combs Lane, Great Finborough (from Willow Cottages to Wash lane)
Date & Time: 17 February 2026, between 10am and 3pm
Please note that while the road closure times are as stated above, it's likely that the teams on site will not be present for the full duration. All works will be carried out within the timeframe stated.
Reason for Closure: Road repairs
Access Arrangements: Access and egress will be maintained where safe and possible to do so. Please speak to a member of staff on site. Through traffic will need to follow the diversion route in place.

Diversion Route: B1115, A1308, Needham Road and vice versa.

31/01/2026

Please be advised that a road closure has been planned for our area in response to the terrible state of the pit holes on Combs Lane, as detailed below.

Road closure location: C439 Combs Lane, Great Finborough

From Finbrough Road to Wash Lane

Date/Time: Monday 2 February 2026 (10am-3pm)

Work type: Road repairs

Diversion route: Combs Lane, Needham Road, Ipswich Road, Needham Road, A1308, B1115 and vice versa.

Please note that the road will only need to be closed for a period during the advertised times. Access will be managed/provided for both residents and businesses whilst the closure is in place.

22/01/2026

An update on the pothole issues we are experiencing on Combs Lane.

The parish council have received a response from Suffolk Highways with details of their plan to repair the potholes on Combs Lane. Although subject to change, the holes are scheduled for repair by 9th February.

Let’s hope that the work is completed as planned. In the meantime, please take care when driving, particularly in these wet conditions when the location of the potholes might not be obvious.

19/07/2025

Due to the heavy rain and very wet ground conditions, the planned village clean up morning has been cancelled.

We will publish new dates for village volunteering very soon.

06/05/2025

Come along to the village VE Day beacon lighting on Thursday, starting at 7:00pm. We have a BBQ and soft drinks, games for kids and the grand lighting of a massive bonfire.

18/04/2025

Two events for VE Day celebrations

14/01/2025

Some info about support for heating over the cold period

26/11/2024

14/11/2024

During the PC meeting on Monday 11th November, it was agreed that the following message would be posted on FB.

Although it is likely that this planning application will be delayed, the council was asked to submit its initial thoughts to the district planning authority, following discussion at the PC meeting on 14th October.

Statement from Great Finborough Parish Council re: DC/24/04231



As a result of discussion which took place between councillors at the meeting of Great Finborough Parish Council on Monday 14th October 2024, please find below a list of discussion points that were observed by Councillors concerning the planning application from Finborough School Ltd. DC/24/04231

Positive

1. The land that is intended to be acquired by the school is anticipated to be incorporated into the village as part of the school, therefore may add value to the village.

2. The village and surrounding villages benefit from a strong school, including the jobs and economic activity that are created which are community benefits.

3. The project is all part of helping the school to thrive and survive in a challenging environment. If in the future the school were to close, the village would suffer adversely, and this project not going ahead could increase the chance of the school closing.

4. The developments to the footpath could involve better landscaping, improve the quality of the path, and provide more views, not previously available along the existing path. The village would benefit from more facilities.

Negative

1. Impact of the new building on the setting of the Church is significant. Impact of proximity of the dormitory building to the church has created concerns that quiet reflection risks being spoiled.

2. Substantial impact on the landscape, including views from Buxhall.

3. The rerouting of footpath would be longer and have a steeper gradient. Are there any guarantees as to the quality of the landscaping along the new route?

4. Concerns already excessive traffic on Church Road will be exacerbated.

5. Increased traffic and access to and from the B1115.

6. The opening up of land around the reservoir presents increased dangers.

7. The actual development is outside the village settlement boundary – so needs to bring significant community benefit.

11/11/2024

Brief announcement regarding the PC’s consideration of the planning application for Finborough School.

At the last PC meeting, held on 14th October, it was decided to delay the council’s comment on the planning application, pending the receipt of a number of important reports from district officers. At the meeting , a provisional date of 18th November was set for an extraordinary PC meeting, to deliberate the planning application.

Following developments with the planning application within the District Council the meeting on 18th November will no longer be going ahead. Any future meetings where the planning application will be discussed will be published in the normal way, via the notice board and online.

10/10/2024

Message from Mid Suffolk:

We are pleased to announce the upcoming launch of an innovative new passenger transport provision in Mid Suffolk.

This new provision – called ‘The Mid Suffolk Taxi Bus’ - is being delivered by Swift Taxi Cabs, with funding from a Mid Suffolk District Council Rural Transport Grant. Please see the attached flyer, and the project’s website:

https://www.suffolktaxibus.com/

There will be a drop-in launch event to promote this new and exciting passenger transport, and to share more information about it, on Tuesday 29th October from 1pm to 6pm at the John Peel Centre in Stowmarket.

Whilst this launch event is primarily about the Mid Suffolk Taxi Bus which will be servicing the ward and parishes outlined on the ‘routes’ section of the website, there will also be an opportunity to learn more about another emerging new transport provision – based on a Demand Responsive Transport model - for the north of the district that has also been funded by a Mid Suffolk District Council Rural Transport Grant. Between these two new/emerging provisions, there will be coverage across the whole of Mid Suffolk – hence extending this invite to all ward Cllrs and Town and Parish Councils.

So that we can anticipate numbers at the launch event, we’d be grateful if you could indicate your intention to attend by reserving a spot through Eventbrite:

Welcome to the home of Mid Suffolk Taxi Bus based in Stowmarket, Suffolk. Explore all Taxi Bus routes and find out about us.

21/08/2024

Message from Suffolk Highways:

Road closure location: Combs Lane, Great Finborough/Combs/Stowmarket
Date/Time: 21 August 2024 (8am – 3.30pm)
Work type: Road repairs
Diversion route: Combs Lane, B1115, Finborough Road, Tavern Street, A1308, Needham Road, Poplar Hill and vice versa.

Road work updates will be available via Suffolk Highways on Twitter and on One.Network.