An artist's impression of the new Felixstowe Pier.
Felixstowe: New pier is top of resort’s wish-list
BY RICHARD CORNWELL, Felixstowe editor, Felixstowe editor
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
12:09 PM
LET’S get on with it!
That was the message from Felixstowe today as planners started finalising their report on the exciting proposals for a multi-million pound new pier to inject fresh life into the seafront.
While some nearby residents have formally objected to the project because they could lose their sea views, they were branded NIMBYS by a pier campaigner and told to get behind the project.
“In my view these groups are oftebn a menace and hold up projects for no real reason – this project will bring huge benefits to the whole town,” said Norman Thompson, secretary of the former Felixstowe Pier Trust.
Former mayor Doreen Savage said: “I think the plans are absolutely fantastic.
“For so many years there has been bellyaching, moaning and groaning and the top of everyone’s wish-list for a project has been the pier, the pier, the pier.
“Now we have a wonderful opportunity to breathe new life into the seafront, to bring more people to enjoy our town, and what we need is to get on with it.”Suffolk Coastal councillors have already visited the landmark to assess the area, and planning officers are currently finalising their report and recommendations, expected to come before committee in October or November.
But they have received a formal objection from the South Hill Residents’Association secretary/chairman Gillian Moseley, concerned about householders losing their sea views, noise and extra traffic, and worries over the potential impact of construction work on their properties.
“I feel the design of the new pier will not be in keeping with Felixstowe’s image and the designs being proposed will impact negatively on the shoreline of the town, dominating the area to the detriment of every other feature,” she said.
“What type of entertainment will be permitted in this venue, what licensing is proposed and what effects will this have in terms of associated anti-social behaviour from any extended opening hours?”
The proposals involve demolishing the current pier and replacing it with a new two-storey seaside entertainment complex, part of which would go out over the sea, featuring a function suite seating 325 people, cafes, restaurants, bowling facility, leisure attractions and a high-tech observation deck to watch the shipping.
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5 comments
what is wrong with the ppl of felixstowe all they do is moan,they moan that no one goes there and spends money in there shops and now there moaning about having a new pier which if redone will no doubt bring ppl to felixstowe, if this doesnt get the go ahead then im sure the ppl of felixstowe will moan about the state of the seafront and how run down it will be when the pier falls into the sea,ppl in felixstowe need to wake up and realise that something needs to be done along the seafront to bring tourists there to spend money they dont want to see a front with a collapsed pier empty dirty boating lake and a market with about 5 stalls.
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maria stu
Thursday, September 6, 2012
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I doubt very much that this project will even happen, and even if it does it won't look anything like the so called "artists impression". The residents always complain about anything down the seafront and they always get thier way. The same thing will happen here.
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John Smith
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Moan moan moan, thats all the people of Felixstowe seem to be doing these days to anything that brings change to the town. They are continually moaning bout the shops becoming empty but with a better tourist attraction it would bring not only visitors but businesses into the town.We need something like this to bring people back into the area, i mean who is going to choose to holiday at Felixstowe with no main attraction unlike our neighbouring seaside towns of Yarmouth, Clacton etc. I personally would feel very let down if i had come here on holiday. my family are based in the midlands and i never tell them to holiday here I always tell them to go elsewhere. You only have to look at places like Rhyl who left it to late before starting to re generate the seafront area who have now been left behind trying to play catch up. Lets not let Felixstowe become a attraction of the past, a ghost seaside town full of moaning people.
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chasingdreams
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Of course ex mayor would say this is absolutely fantastic, she wont have it on her doorstep will she. She was the same with the Skate Park she didn't give a damn to the residents nearby.
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Elise Moreton
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
What do the resident association want ? A rusting away pier that will eventually fall into the sea and become an eyesore for them to look at. Felixstowe badly needs investment or it will become an even bigger careretirement home town.
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The original Victor Meldrew
Wednesday, September 5, 2012