ALTERNATIVE proposals for a 17-acre seafront site - earmarked for a £25 million-plus regeneration project - will not be up for debate at a top-level meeting.

ALTERNATIVE proposals for a 17-acre seafront site - earmarked for a £25 million-plus regeneration project - will not be up for debate at a top-level meeting.

The Suffolk Preservation Society announced the summit with Suffolk Coastal on June 19 would look at new plans for Felixstowe's south seafront, which it has paid Woodbridge-based architects, The Landscape Partnership to design.

However, SPS has today been sent a letter setting out in clear terms what the council is prepared to discuss - and new schemes are not on the agenda.

Council leader Ray Herring said: “The SPS has voiced its concerns about our decision and our plans, which largely appeared to focus on the intention to demolish the Herman de Stern building.

“As the society was talking about taking legal action, we offered to meet with them so we could clear up any misunderstandings in the hope that it would save both organisations time and unnecessary legal costs in the future.

“From their reported comments, it appears the society is now expecting to present some form of alternative plans for the site at the meeting. We have written to them explaining that this is completely unacceptable to us - the planning decision on this site has been made, and we are happy to explain and discuss it.”

Mr Herring added that the society was at liberty to draw up plans for the site and formally submit them as a planning application, with the relevant fees but that it would be completely inappropriate for our June meeting.

He said: “I would reiterate that this council is more than happy with its approved plans and we, and I believe the majority of people in Felixstowe, are now just waiting to get on with them.”

Approval has been given for a maritime park, parking, play areas, refreshment kiosk, and new toilets, funded by 158 new homes.

The SPS said it had not ruled out yet seeking a judicial review of the decision-making process over the development.

WEBLINK: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

www.suffolksociety.com

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

Did you know?

Play equipment in the project will include an adventure trail, slides and climbing rocks for juniors and toddlers, an infant play area including see-saws, and springing items, plus a “spacenet” and an eight pad water splash feature.