WORK on three new hotels near Ipswich Waterfront is set to get under way by the end of the year, The Evening Star can reveal.The St Peter's Port development, between Star Lane and College Street, has already been recommended for approval by town planners although the official go-ahead was held up after central government opted last year to scrutinise the decision.
WORK on three new hotels near Ipswich Waterfront is set to get under way by the end of the year, The Evening Star can reveal.
The St Peter's Port development, between Star Lane and College Street, has already been recommended for approval by town planners although the official go-ahead was held up after central government opted last year to scrutinise the decision.
It was eventually decided in December that the application did not need to be “called in” but formal permission since then has been delayed while final details are ironed out between planners and the developers Braceforce.
It is understood formal permission is likely to be granted by the end of the month paving the way for archaeological exploration of the site, which could take several months, prior to work getting started late this year.
Maxwell Hembry, director at Braceforce, said: “We are most definitely looking at construction for the fourth quarter of this year.
“We are going out for tenders as we speak.”
The ambitious St Peter's Port complex already has a number of big names signed up.
This includes Accor, Europe's largest hotel group, which has committed to a 165 room Etap hotel, while Whitbread has agreed terms on a 117-room Premier Travel Inn.
Negotiations have also been conducted with another hotel group to provide a New York-style boutique hotel with 58 rooms each individually designed by a world-class interior designer.
This hotel is also planning to incorporate a large conference centre capable of accommodating over 500 people, a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the night sky and a modern bar.
Last month The Evening Star revealed a total of 24 new restaurants, cafes and bars are also in the pipeline for the area including a Pizza Express restaurant at Regatta Quay.
n. What new developments would you like to see in Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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