A MULTI-million pound retail development which could have delivered high street retailers to a seaside town has controversially been put on hold.

A MULTI-million pound retail development which could have delivered high street retailers to a seaside town has controversially been put on hold.

Suffolk Coastal District Council had previously granted permission in 2005 for new retail warehousing on the Haven Exchange site near Dock Gate One in Felixstowe but it attached more than a dozen conditions on it going ahead.

Modified plans for the site, which would include large electrical, DIY and furniture stores, were submitted in November last year but planning permission has now been refused.

John Peecock, of Peecock Short Property Solutions, the developer's agents, told The Evening Star he had been left struggling to understand the decision.

He said: “It is all a bit strange and confusing. This scheme is smaller than one accepted before and in exactly the same place.

“There were just slightly tweaked changes to the originally approved scheme.

“One of the reasons for that was on broad specific requirement from Next Plc to take a unit on the site.

“The most frustrating thing is that this site has been held back by niggling little issues in relation to planning since 1994.

“It offers very substantial and attractive economic advantages to the town.

“Major high street retailers are trying to get into Felixstowe.

“It will be for the developers to step back and assess where they want to go from here.”

Ivan Jowers, chair of Suffolk Coastal District Council's development control committee, told The Evening Star the plans were “too big” for the site.

He said: “Obviously we want to see something there. It is just the detail we are waiting for.

“I understand a new application is being submitted this week.”

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The story so far:

Outline planning permission for the development was granted back in 1994.

Detailed planning permission for the development was granted in 2005.

The 15-acre site was earmarked for a theme park in the 1960s and 70s and was one of the dump sites for spoil from the creation of the A14 Dock Spur Road.

Development of the land at the bottom of Peewit Hill was first put forward in the early 1990s when it was said to be suitable for general industry, warehousing and non-food retail outlets

It was unsuitable for housing because it was isolated from the town with poor access to schools, shops, leisure facilities and doctors.