DEVELOPERS of Felixstowe’s new pier will have to pay a high price for their exciting beachside complex – rent to the highest office in the land.

For they will need to obtain a lease from the Crown Estate office, which looks after the Queen’s landholdings on behalf of the nation, because the new pier will be built over a larger part of the seabed than before.

Pier Amusements owns the land on which the current pier stands – including the narrow stretch which goes out over the sea.

However, while the new multi-million pound pier will not go out as far into the North Sea, its new leisure centre will protrude further and be wider than the current entertainment building alongside the prom, using seabed owned by the crown.

Planning consultant for the project, Haydn Evans said talks had been taking place with the commissioners at Crown Estate since February.

“In principle they are content with what is going to happen, and we are in discussions about what the rent should be,” he said.

“The land on which the current pier stands is all in the pier owner’s ownership, but we need additional land, below the low water mark, on which to build the new and enlarged pier.”

Planning permission was given last week for the complex, which will include amusements and leisure activities, a function suite for 325 people, bars and restaurants, and a high-tech shipping observation tower.

Work is set to start next year with the opening in mid-July 2014.