Date set for demolition work

DEMOLITION work making way for a £70million development at Ipswich's Wet Dock is set to start within the next few weeks, The Evening Star can reveal today.

Bulldozers have been given the all clear to move in at the Cranfield Mill site on the town's waterfront in March.

The town has been waiting for the urban regeneration project - one of the largest ever in the town - to begin since it was given the go-ahead by planning authorities in July.

It will include a 23-storey tower block set to dramatically change the Ipswich skyline and construction will begin in the early summer.

The East of England Development Agency, which owns the land, is leading the development.

Aside from the tower, a £6million dance studio with a 240-seat theatre will become the centre point of the dockside.

More than 300 apartments, 52 affordable homes, an 80-bedroom hotel, art studios, bars, shops and restaurants will complete the project - due to be completed in January 2008.

The work is being carried out by Wharfside Regeneration and Milequay, while Bidwells property Consultants are the selling agents.

Mark Sennett, of Wharfside, said: "After much planning and hard work we are delighted to be starting on site at Cranfields Mill.

"With its historical waterfront setting, this property has tremendous potential and will bring new life and prosperity to the area."

The Evening Star announced earlier this month how demolition work is due to begin at the former Burton's factory site at the waterfront.

All 71 apartments in the Cardinal Lofts development have been either reserved or sold and developers

Braceforce are due to move in during the next couple of weeks.

The main structure of the factory will be saved.

What do you think of the plans to develop the waterfront? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk