New dock development outlined

AN extraordinary meeting has been called to debate plans for a massive expansion of Felixstowe port.

The multi-million pound project has split opinion with residents fearing a huge environmental impact and port owners claiming a major jobs boost.

Now the town council's planning department has decided the issue is too big for them alone and has issued a call to every member.

The Evening Star shocked Felixstowe when we revealed the plans could lead to ONE MILLION more lorry journeys every year on Suffolk's roads.

But port chiefs claim the redevelopment will create nearly 1,500 new jobs – 621 port jobs and 860 in dock-related employment – within ten years of opening.

Town clerk Susan Robinson said discussions with plans committee chairman Andy Smith led to an extraordinary council meeting being called for December 3 at 6.30pm.

The meeting will be chaired by mayor Doreen Savage.

Mrs Robinson said: "We are anxious, as we always are, to allow all members of the council the opportunity to take part in the discussion.

"This will allow a full hour for debate and because it will be a council meeting, it will mean every member will be able to attend and vote."

And Mr Smith said he thought it would be the first of many tough talks on the plans.

He said: "We could spend three or four evenings discussing this project, let alone one, so we need to be focussed.

"There are a number of issues on which we all agree, such as the environmental issues, noise, lighting, TV interference, and I believe we need to look at other newer elements."

The scheme to redevelop the port's southern container terminal, ro-ro berths and Dock Basin will increase its capacity to 5.2 million standard-sized boxes.

n Are you worried about the port expansion – what problems do you think it will bring? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk