PROTESTORS emerged victorious today after plans to create a £3.2 million casino resort in Felixstowe were withdrawn at the last minute.Uncertainty now surrounds the scheme by company Palatial Leisure to transform the resort's cinema and bingo hall into a hotel and leisure complex.
PROTESTORS emerged victorious today after plans to create a £3.2 million casino resort in Felixstowe were withdrawn at the last minute.
Uncertainty now surrounds the scheme by company Palatial Leisure to transform the resort's cinema and bingo hall into a hotel and leisure complex.
Suffolk Coastal Councils development control sub committee was not told why the application had been removed, and no one was available from Palatial Leisure to talk about its decision.
Councillors had been recommended to reject the project for the site in Crescent Road because it was against policy and would have had an enormous impact on residents' lives.
It is not known whether today's shock is the end of the venture or if the company will draw up revised plans to try and satisfy the concerns of councillors and householders.
Nearly 200 people had objected to the casino development which would also have featured a single-screen cinema, conference centre, bingo hall, restaurant, gym and a 57-bed hotel.
There were worries that such a big development would lead to more late night noise and disturbance and less on street parking for residents.
Planners claimed the building design would be "overbearing" in the area and the Felixstowe Society policy, a conservation group, felt that the development would be against policy and such a venture should be sited on the seafront.
The Felixstowe Town Centre Residents' Association agreed saying it would ruin the quality of life for may people living in the town centre.
However, Patrick Duffy, managing director of Palatial Leisure denied the complex would not cause late-night problems as it would be "members only" and even foul language would be not be tolerated.
He claimed it would make the town safer because it would bring people and activity to the area, providing an economic boost.
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