Brandon commission
Launched in 2025 and chaired by Mark Pragnell, the commission provided evidence-based and locally-grounded advice to guide the future development of Brandon. This initiative aimed to balance options that would 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.
Engagement
Read the analysis of the Independent Commission on the Future of Brandon’s initial online public engagement: Building a bright and bold future for Brandon and the Brecks.
This document is not accessible for people using assistive technology. If you need the document in an alternative format please email: brandon.commission@westsuffolk.gov.uk.
Brandon commission findings
The commission concluded in December 2025, outlining 52 recommendations in response to their findings: Independent Commission on the Future of Brandon: Building a bright and bold future for Brandon and the Brecks.
In addition to the stakeholder engagement undertaken by the commission, the commission, through West Suffolk Council, appointed an economics research consultancy, Volterra Partners LLP, to conduct a future scenario study to form part of the evidence base. Read Volterra's report here: The Future of Brandon - Housing, community and economy future scenarios study.
Response
A response to the Report of the Independent Commission on the Future of Brandon will be discussed by West Suffolk Cabinet on Tuesday 3 February 2026. The paper is available here: Brandon Commission update.
Brandon commissioners
- Tim Cowan - Conservation Officer for the Brecks, at The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
- David Harris - Chairman of Chase Plastics (one of the country’s longest established manufacturers of recycled plastic pellets with a factory in Brandon that serves customers across the UK and mainland Europe).
- Terry Hawkins – Brandon resident, who runs the Brandon website, is editor of the Brandon magazine, co-founded Brandon in Bloom, helps to organise the Best of Brandon awards and is Governor at Breckland School and Glade Academy.
- Professor Emma Lees - Professor of Environmental and Property Law at the University of Cambridge, and Fellow of Downing College.
- Mark Pragnell (Brandon Commission Chair) - Managing director of Pragmatix Advisory, with over 30 years’ experience as a macroeconomist, forecaster and policy consultant.
- Dr Rebecca Thomas - Senior Lecturer (specialisms include ecology and conservation) at Royal Holloway University of London.
Past commission meeting dates
- Wednesday 10 September 2025, 11am - 2pm, at Center Parcs, Elveden Forest - fourth meeting of the Brandon commission notes
- Tuesday 3 June 2025, 11.30am - 1.30pm, online using Microsoft Teams - third meeting of the Brandon commission notes
- Monday 19 May 2025, 12.30pm - 3.30pm, at Brandon Town Council offices - second meeting of the Brandon commission notes
- Monday 7 April 2025, 12.30pm - 3.30pm, at Brandon Country Park - first meeting of the Brandon commission notes
More detail and information on the commission
- Brandon commission Terms of Reference
- Brandon commission Memorandum of Understanding
- Independent commission launched to help secure a better future of Brandon
- Independent Commission on the Future of Brandon concludes and next steps to be agreed to shape sustainable growth for the town
For more information please email brandon.commission@westsuffolk.gov.uk
