Felixstowe Seafront Regeneration

19 July 2012, 00:00 | Updated: 19 July 2012, 07:29

Work to regenerate part of the seafront in Felixstowe is getting started this week.

Bloor Homes will begin work to enhance and develop Felixstowe South Seafront as Martello Park which will now see new homes, and new leisure facilities.

“It is great news that we can now get on with regenerating this site, adding both to the attractiveness and vitality of the seafront and helping meet Felixstowe’s pressing need for more homes,” said Andrew Marns, Regional Managing Director of Bloor Homes Eastern who are doing the work.

“In tune with English Heritage our housing development proposals of mainly family homes will carefully complement and respect the historic Martello Tower that ,thanks to this project, will continue for years to come to dominate the landscape.

“Our partnership with Suffolk Coastal has meant we have been able to adapt our plans for Martello Park to make them more in tune with both local needs and the national economic realities, but still have an exciting development that will prove to an excellent addition to Felixstowe’s future,” added Mr Marns.

As part of the agreement with the Council, Bloor will be contributing towards the repair and refurbishment of the Martello Tower, with landscaping around it. A leisure and recreation space will run from Sea Road to Manor Terrace and will include play areas, picnic areas, wildlife areas and pedestrian routes. An area has also been designated for a potential beachside café.                           

Alongside the 250 or so  car parking spaces provided for the new homes, there will also be 261 pay and display parking spaces, along with good pedestrian and cycle links to the town centre and pier.  

In all, 97 three bedroom homes will be built, and 30 two bedroom flats, of which 13 will be for rent from a housing association.

“I congratulate Bloor Homes for their commitment to this important scheme which will mean yet another multi-million pound investment in Felixstowe at a time when growth is so important locally and nationally,” said Cllr Robert Whiting, Cabinet Member for Resources.

“Our role in this partnership was to ensure the best possible deal from the sale of the land and as part of our wider plans to regenerate Felixstowe, to gain some much-needed leisure attractions for this key part of the resort.  We have achieved an exciting range of play facilities for children of all ages, whether they be visitors or those living in the proposed homes or other local residents.