Delay to seafront project

A MAJOR regeneration project on Felixstowe seafront has been postponed for nearly 18 months - because of the downturn in the housing market.Residents have been assured the 17-acre south seafront site will still be developed with 158 new homes and a maritime park, but work will now not start until March 2010 following a request by Suffolk Coastal council's development partners Bloors.

A MAJOR regeneration project on Felixstowe seafront has been postponed for nearly 18 months - because of the downturn in the housing market.

Residents have been assured the 17-acre south seafront site will still be developed with 158 new homes and a maritime park, but work will now not start until March 2010 following a request by Suffolk Coastal council's development partners Bloors.

The Evening Star revealed last week the project was likely to be delayed because of the economic crisis.

Suffolk Coastal will demolish derelict properties on the site early next year, while investigating possible temporary uses of the land.

Cabinet member Robert Whiting said: “Bloors remain committed to the project, but like everyone else they cannot predict how long this current slump will continue or even if the market has yet reached its lowest point.

“Their request for a delay is both understandable and reasonable, and we have negotiated a movement of the start date to March 1, 2010, with a meeting the previous September to decide whether that target is viable and achievable.

“It is disappointing news for all of us, but we have to accept the current economic realities however unpleasant they are.”