DEVELOPERS have today vowed to start building on a derelict quayside location, four years after submitting a planning application.

Plans for a �75 million development first surfaced in the summer of 2005, however since then there has been little movement at St Peter’s Port – currently a patch of wasteground.

With the time limit for implementation running out on the original planning applications, the ambitious developers have re-submitted the proposals to the borough council’s planning department.

And a spokesman for Applekirk Properties Ltd – the landowners – today said they hoped to press on with the plans.

The development, which will sit on land bordered by Star Lane, Foundation Street, College Street and St Peter’s Church, is set to encompass three hotels, retail units, restaurants, offices and an underground car park.

The Applekirk spokesman said: “We hope to begin building on the site in the early part of next year.”

He said there had been no change to the original planning application which was submitted in 2007.

In 2007, The Evening Star revealed that a number of big names had already signed up for the ambitious complex.

Accor, Europe’s largest hotel group, previously committed to a 165 room Etap hotel, while Whitbread – the country’s leading leisure operator, agreed terms on a 117-room Premier Travel Inn.

The proposals were brought to a halt when Suffolk County Council announced plans for a multi million pound archaeological dig on the St Peter’s Port site.

David Ellesmere, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said the second applications showed the developers had a great deal of confidence in the town.

“I know that their previous application was approved and the problems with the market meant that it couldn’t get off the ground at the time.

“We are pleased to see the developers re-submitting the applications and it shows their commitment to the site and to making this happen. I think it will be great for Ipswich and it shows that the developers have real confidence in Ipswich.”

Planners behind the Waterfront regeneration have always aimed to create a recreation and residential hub on the former wet dock.