A �20 million-plus redevelopment scheme could start on Felixstowe seafront before the end of the year – fulfilling one man’s special dream.

New designs for the resort’s 17-acre south seafront echo the vision that Colonel George Tomline had for the land when he owned it more than 100 years ago.

He wanted to create a “new town” for the workers of his new port, but the project was never completed after his death.

Tomline – builder of the Felixstowe-Ipswich rail line in 1877 and founder of the town’s port in 1886 – wanted to use his land around the Landguard area of the town for a housing development for his port workers.

He made a start with the construction of Manor Terrace, but his dream died with him.

Now planners say the new south seafront scheme – homes and a maritime park between Manor Terrace and Orford Road – will go a long way to fulfilling Tomline’s vision.

Developers Bloor Homes have redesigned the scheme, on the back-burner since the start of the recession, with the housing in Victorian and Edwardian-style terraces in a layout based on the area’s original grid-road system proposal.

It is being recommended for approval by Suffolk Coastal’s south area development control sub committee on Thursday.

Case officer Bob Chamberlain said: “Although it is now over 100 years since Tomline’s grid was laid out, the present scheme should be viewed as the final completion of his vision.”

Felixstowe Town Council is “very concerned” that the scale of leisure provision has been significantly reduced from previous proposals, and unhappy that no public toilets will be provided in the maritime park.

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