South Seafront, Felixstowe

I sent an email to Mr Herring, Leader of Suffolk Coastal District Council. He's a nice chap, misguided at times, but probably has his heart in the right place. We've been arguing the toss about 17.5 acres of land, on a flood plain, by the beach at Felixstowe.

18 years ago the Council threw off 600 beach huts from this land, and ever since it has looked untidy. There was no landscaping, very little interference by anyone. At its centre stands a Martello Tower, bastion of England's defence against the French Napoleon. At one one edge was a lovely late Edwardian building, that we wanted to turn into a theatre. Instead is was burnt down the day after the Council announced its plans for the site.

Here's one of the emails I sent to Mr Herring;

Mr Herring

Are you really telling us the truth?

SCDC has granted planning permission to Bloor Homes, a private developer, to take away public amenity land at Felixstowe South seafront but in so doing the story is surely only just beginning?

I know you never answer my questions fully but can you now confirm;
That the planning consent granted to Bloor Homes departs from the District Plan in several distinct and important respects.

That it does not give Felixstowe residents any substantial gain, indeed local ratepayers will be faced with a continuously mounting bill to maintain the public open space over the coming years. Has the developer given any money for this maintenance?

Some months ago you said that a senior barrister had examined the contract and confirmed that it gave good value. Can I see a copy of that barrister's report to SCDC. It cannot be against the public interest to make that report public.
Can you confirm the housing need in Felixstowe and SCDC? This development contain just 10% affordable housing, a number that runs contrary to Mr Prescott's wishes and I suspect contrary to the local housing demands. Can I repeat that question – how does the 10% allocation match the present housing demands in the area?
This matter must now be referred to GO East, and I note that you will make the submission before the holiday season, and no doubt GO East's offices will be closed for much of the 21 days they are given to respond.

Presumably GO East will exercise their right to extend that consultation period, not just because of the holiday but as this is a greenfield site – and I note that you continue to use the word 'derelict' which is not an accurate description for land that has never had any permanent structures placed upon it, and this land has great amenity potential, which will be lost if this development goes ahead.

Will you confirm that this is a greenfield site?

Will you explain why the developer has been granted five years to complete this project, why was it extended beyond the normal three years?

At no point has any consideration been given to the historical importance of this site, particularly to the four acre area around the Martello Tower. English Heritage have asked you to consider this matter, but it has been ignored. Can you explain why no answer has ever been given to Felixstowe residents?

The Herman de Stern could now be rebuilt, using insurance funds, to create a much-needed local amenity. Why have you refused a noted quantity surveyor permission to examine the building? What will you do with the money given to you by the insurers? There's £950,000 in a pot – what are you going to do with that money for the benefit of Felixstowe?

I understand at the final stages of the contract, in phase four, there is provision for money to be given to the Education authority, as one of the gains to the community. If money is only to be forthcoming in the final phase, and is only a profit share with no guarantee of any return, how will that work? If a child from this estate attends the local school before phase four is completed will they be asked for a share of the planning gain? Can you describe the relationship between SCDC and Suffolk County Council, and all the other authorities who will gain from this development? Has SCC agreed to subsidise SCDC in this speculative venture?
Mr Herring I still cannot understand what Felixstowe will gain from giving away this land to a private developer. Has SCDC become a land developer? Does SCDC now speculate with public resources in the hope of making some gain in the future? If so, how certain can you be that we will make a proper profit from the loss of some of the most important amenity land we have in the town?

Can you please answer the questions I've raised and can I suggest you make a resolution for 2006; to tell Felixstowe residents what is really going on with Bloor Homes, because it looks as if you and the redundant council official Bruce Laws are getting far too cosy with this developer – and for no understandable public benefit.

There's more on this story at the Spa Pavilion site - click on the title of this Blog.