An artist's impression showing how the new Felixstowe pier would look from the sea.COUNCILLORS will not make a decision on the bold and imaginative proposals for a multi-million pound new pier at Felixstowe until the autumn.
Public consultation is underway and Suffolk Coastal said today that it was keen for people and organisations to submit their views.
Pier owner Stan Threadwell has submitted plans to the council and is securing private funding.
“Obviously the official consultation period has only just begun and it will be interesting to see the views of both the public and the relevant official bodies about this project, all of which will be taken into account before development control councillors reach a decision on the plans,” said Geoff Holdcroft, cabinet member for leisure and economic development.
“Clearly, the proposals are slightly more complicated by the fact that they also include land and buildings owned by the council.”
The Felixstowe Futures team have already been in discussions with Pier Amusements Ltd about how they can work together to help in the regeneration of the whole area around the pier, leisure centre and boating lake.
Mr Holdcroft said it was unlikely the application would appear before councillors before the early autumn.
The proposals involve demolishing the current pier and replacing it with a new two-storey seaside entertainment complex, part of which would go out over the sea, featuring a function suite seating 325 people, cafes, restaurants, bowling facility, leisure attractions and a high-tech observation deck to watch the shipping.
Wider redevelopment
The project encompasses much more than just the pier – and would see publicly-owned areas alongside the prom given a new lease of life, too.
A new plaza would be created at the entrances to the leisure centre and pier, possibly with a central-roofed but open-sided feature for performances/exhibitions, with sheltered seating, and planting.
It is suggested lost car parking spaces could be provided by extending the existing car park at the rear of the leisure centre.
Pier Facts
The pier was opened in 1905, built by Rogers Brothers for the Coast Development Company as a landing stage for steamers.
It was 2,793ft long – the third longest pier in the UK.
One of the original features was a 3.5ft gauge three-car electric tramway.
The pier was severed at the outbreak of the Second World War.
For the past 15 years or so, the outer section has been closed to the public due to health and safety concerns.
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