AFTER 18 months of negotiating, developers still look set to be refused permission for a controversial clifftop homes development at Felixstowe.

AFTER 18 months of negotiating, developers still look set to be refused permission for a controversial clifftop homes development at Felixstowe.

Landro Ltd has reduced the number of flats it wants to build and the size of the two massive blocks of apartments but planners are still unhappy.

Suffolk Coastal district councillors have visited the site in Hamilton Gardens and are due to meet on October 12 to decide whether to approve the scheme or not. Officers from the council are recommending them to refuse it.

They say the flats are inappropriate development that will neither preserve nor enhance the character and appearance of the resort's conservation area and nearby listed Harvest House.

There is also inadequate provision for affordable housing, and not enough outdoor play space.

Landro originally wanted to built 62 flats in two blocks - one seven storeys high and the other five - on the site of the Cliff House offices' car park and Hamilton House, which would be demolished.

Now it is proposing 47 flats in six-storey and four-storey blocks.

The scheme has drawn objections from English Heritage and Felixstowe Town Council, plus around 50 letters from residents.

Householders are concerned at a wide range of issues, including the impact on the conservation area, density, height of the blocks, inadequate car parking in an area where street parking is already at a premium, increased traffic, cliff instability, overlooking, loss of light and sea views.

A report submitted by the developers said the scheme had been redesigned in the light of planners' comments and added: “The bulk and size of the two new buildings have been reduced to take on board previous comments and in conjunction with this we have specifically addressed the redesign of the exterior to reflect more accurately the character of the local surrounding area.”

A report by planners to be considered by councillors said the proposed development would be “very dominant and oppressive and visually intrusive” and people in Brownlow Road seriously effected.

WEBLINK: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk