AN “iconic” development of three hotels in Ipswich is likely to be given the thumbs up by town planners next week.Borough council planning officers are set to recommend that the St Peter's Port development is given the green light at a meeting next week subject to talks with English Heritage.

AN “iconic” development of three hotels in Ipswich is likely to be given the thumbs up by town planners next week.

Borough council planning officers are set to recommend that the St Peter's Port development is given the green light at a meeting next week subject to talks with English Heritage.

The ambitious complex, between Star Lane and College Street, already has a number of big names signed up.

This includes Accor, Europe's largest hotel group, which has committed to a 165 room Etap hotel.

Meanwhile Whitbread, Britain's leading leisure operator, has agreed terms on a 117-room Premier Travel Inn as well as a new Brewer's Fayre restaurant - expected to be the largest restaurant in Ipswich.

Negotiations are also at a final stage with another hotel group to provide a New York-style boutique hotel with 58 rooms each individually designed by a world-class interior designer.

This hotel is also planning to incorporate a large conference centre capable of accommodating more than 500 people, a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views and a modern bar.

A report on the application prepared by council officers heralds the development as one of the most significant applications the council has considered for a number of years.

It states: “The proposed uses are welcome in this important location in the town and it is encouraging that a leading architect has been involved throughout the development of the proposal.

“This development would represent cutting edge contemporary architecture and urban design of a high standard from an architect of international standing and with an outstanding track record in urban regeneration.

“This would represent 'iconic' architecture of a standard not seen in the borough since Norman Foster's Willis building.”

A final decision on the St Peter's Port development will be made by members of the borough council's planning and development committee when it meets next Wednesday.

A number of conditions to the development are likely to be applied should the application be approved.

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