FIVE new retail warehouses are set to be built at Felixstowe – cutting the need for families to travel out of town to shop.Proposals have been submitted for a 26,000 sq ft retail park on the Haven Exchange site near Dock Gate One and the shops could include DIY, builders' merchants, gardening, and electrical outlets.

FIVE new retail warehouses are set to be built at Felixstowe - cutting the need for families to travel out of town to shop.

Proposals have been submitted for a 26,000 sq ft retail park on the Haven Exchange site near Dock Gate One and the shops could include DIY, builders' merchants, gardening, and electrical outlets.

Town councillors have approved the scheme in principle, but are "very disappointed" with the design of the properties and want negotiations with the developer to improve them.

Property developer Tribecka Land is confident the project will create new jobs. It said it was attracting considerable attention from potential tenants with a number of familiar national names strongly interested.

It will bring into use land, which for a decade has stood empty, but with permission for development with up to 45,000 sq ft of non-food warehouse shops.

Town council plans committee chairman Andy Smith said he was "seriously disappointed" the land would not be used for two big stores.

He said: "One of the problems with the town centre is that we do not have the sites the retail trade is looking for - and Felixstowe is losing interest from retailers who would like to come here but cannot find sites large enough. "Retailers want larger sites and in this application we do have a project which will give us a good provision of a few decent-sized units which must contribute to the retention of trade in Felixstowe."

The new outlets would be built on the Walton Avenue frontage of the site. There would be a metre-high planted bund to protect people staying at the caravan parks from noise and light pollution.

Councillor Doreen Savage voiced concerns over the design. "I don't think any thought has gone into the design whatsoever and we deserve something better and more attractive," she said.

Councillor Harry Dangerfield expressed concern about increased traffic and the effectiveness of the landscaping, though other councillors felt the planting would be adequate.

What do you think of the plans for retail warehouses? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk

Saga file: Felixstowe's Haven Exchange

The 15-acre site was earmarked in the 1960s and 70s for a theme park, 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 to general industry, warehousing and non-food retail outlets.

Proposals for a hotel and housing have been turned down because it falls inside the evacuation area for the Felixstowe Calor Gas Plant.

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