It is an excellent report, which finds that the building is in generally good condition, although in need of maintenance and repair.
The report says that half the asbestos had already been removed, and that removal of the rest was not considered to be a problem. Mr MacFarlane, SCDC Head of Finance in a letter of 26 July 2005 says, 'I would expect the cost of removing the remaining asbestos to be broadly the same whether the building is demolished or not.' The building surveyors were of the same view in 1997.
SCDC say that they have been unable to find a viable partner but the 1997 report shows plans for new 187 seat theatre, a bar/restaurant, meeting rooms and several private flats. Stage Door theatre group used the building in those days, and wanted to use the new theatre. We understand that at least two developers have contacted the council since then, asking if they can get involved, but have heard nothing from SCDC.
The building was bought by SCDC in 1979 for £50,000. Since then they have let this fine place fall into decay.
About 600 beach huts were removed from the area, and tenants of Herman forced to leave, even though three had been given a right to buy, as council tenants.
Over the years there has been a steady loss of income, from rents alone, let alone from the increased opportunity offered to local businesses by the presence of all those beach huts. The thriving shops in Beach Road have largely gone, and who knows what else would have been encouraged into the area?
The rental and rates income would, by now, have paid for the complete restoration of Herman de Stern, and in turn that would have brought much-needed vitality to this run-down part of town.
To use the land for private housing is dangerous and wrong. It will bring immediate financial gain to SCDC, but who will then pay for the new schools, hospital services, increased congestion, over-loaded sewerage systems, and loss of amenity presently enjoyed by local residents? And what guarantee will SCDC give that the money will be spent in Felixstowe?
The last Bloor Homes plan talked of increased amenity use. In practice this meant new roads and services to meet the needs of the new housing. Leisure facilities were to be a seaside cycle path and walk (two days work with a JCB) and a wooden boat for children, graffiti artists and drug-dealers, and an open amphitheatre, presumably for skateboarders? For such amenities Bloor Homes will get 17 acres of land, destroy the views of folk living in Manor Terrace, and deprive the town and its tourists of the ability to expand.
And tourist expansion will be required. We could build a marina at Felixstowe, put multi-storey car parks under the cliffs at Convalescent Hill and elsewhere, sell the Town Hall, make the Spa Pavilion a centre of excellence, make the town an interesting place in which to live, and to visit.
And don't forget the Olympics. I lived 60 miles from Barcelona just before the Olympics there, and it revitalised the whole area. We can all gain, if we plan now.
Houses for rich people who want to live by the sea? Who needs them?
The Herman de Stern sits on a plot of land 167x230 feet. Bloor Homes are about to be given 17 acres, and yet they insist they must demolish the Herman de Stern, which cannot make much difference to their profits. Can it?
There's something very strange going on. We want the Council to be more open. They have decided not to allow public discussion of the new Bloor Homes proposal. Why not? It is our lives, the people who live in Felixstowe, that will be affected. Our Felixstowe councillors are muzzled by so-called conflict of interest clauses. If that's the case they should all resign from SCDC and concentrate upon Felixstowe Town Council. Perhaps the town would do better by breaking away from SCDC alltogether?
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