This picture shows recent expansion to the north of Sudbury town centre on the high land overlooking the Stour valley. Sudbury was expanded in the 1960's as part of a scheme to offer Londoners alternative housing. Springlands, the housing estate seen here on either side of the by-pass was built as part of this expansion. Note that the by-pass has been built in a cutting at this point and that there are pedestrian bridges linking one part of the estate to another.

More recent developments have increased the amount of light industry sited along the by-pass. Small scale manufacturing units producing a range of goods from Upvc windows to furniture are found here. The most recent developments are the development of out of town shopping. Seen here is a DIY store. Since this picture was taken a large Tesco's has been built on the greenfield site next to the by-pass. There has also been a further development of housing.

Beyond the housing lies the Stour valley which runs from east to west across the picture. This river valley was an important routeway in the last century. The railway embankment leading from Sudbury to Lavenham and Clare can be seen running along the valley bordering a large arable field. This is now disused the railway line having been closed as part of the Beeching enquiry for modernising British rail in the 1950's. It is now used as a countryside footpath and cycleway.