TOWN bosses have revealed they remain hopeful Ipswich's �250million Mint Quarter will eventually go-ahead despite the latest setback.
TOWN bosses have revealed they remain hopeful Ipswich's �250million Mint Quarter will eventually go-ahead despite the latest setback.
As revealed by The Evening Star last week, the ambitious shopping centre will be delayed until 2015 at the earliest after current landowners NCP applied to maintain the site as a car park for five more years.
Developers Shearer Property Group had previously hoped construction of the scheme, earmarked for the area between Carr Street and Tacket Street, could begin by 2011.
The delay is the latest in a series of hold-ups to have hit the scheme - first proposed in 1992.
Richard Atkins, councillor responsible for planning and economic development at Ipswich Borough Council, said the authority remains confident the Mint Quarter will eventually come to fruition.
He said: “There have been discussions with Shearer Property Group and possible occupants of the site and borough council officers in the last few weeks and months.
“We are still hoping that things will happen there. There are aspects of the talks that are encouraging.
“It does make sense for NCP to comply with requirements and have permission to operate the car park there in the interim. We understand all of that.”
It is unclear which firm or firms are holding discussions over the Mint Quarter anchor store although The Star has previously revealed Shearer Property is keen to sign up John Lewis.
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