It took the best part of four years to get off the ground, but construction work is now officially under way on a Suffolk town’s multimillion pound riverside regeneration project.

A new chapter in the history of Woodbridge began yesterday after contractors were given the all clear to start work on transforming two derelict industrial sites into apartments, townhouses, restaurants, shops and community buildings.

Bulldozers moved in to begin demolition almost a year ago to the day, but developers came up against a number of adverse planning issues – the last of which was resolved with the district council this week.

Norwich-based property firm, FW Properties now expects work to be complete by spring next year, when the ribbon will be cut on a £10million development of 15 apartments overlooking the River Deben, 6,700 square feet of commercial space and a stand-alone two-storey restaurant overlooking the river and historic Tide Mill.

A community boatshed building will be handed over to the town council for construction of a replica Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon burial ship by the Woodbridge Riverside Trust (WRT), while a heritage building will become the new home of Woodbridge Museum.

At the nearby former Nunn’s Mill factory site, seven townhouses and four apartments will be built, along with 1,500 sq ft of ground floor commercial accommodation opening onto Quayside.

There will also be a new public space directly beside the river at the heart of the scheme, which will host a range of events and activities once completed.

Julian Wells, director at FW Properties, said: “The homes and commercial space being created at Whisstocks are exceptional.

“Underpinned by heritage and designed for the modern world, the development is set to become a focal point for locals and visitors to the town.”

Kay Yule, Riverside ward town councillor, said: “The Whisstocks development is a significant regeneration project for Woodbridge that we are very excited to see taking shape.

“The two community buildings that are being provided – the Woodbridge Museum and the Longshed – combined with the attractive new public space at Whisstocks, make this a really exciting and significant project for the whole community, as well as visitors from further afield.”

James Wilson, director construction firm at RG Carter, said: “With a significant base in Suffolk ourselves, we’re delighted to be part of the team bringing Whisstocks at Woodbridge to life.

“We are always very proud to undertake local projects and we are looking forward to working with the team to deliver a successful project.”

To find out more about commercial tenancy opportunities at Whisstocks, contact Penn Commercial on 01473 211 933 or Gilbert Bath on 020 7636 2494. For all residential enquiries, contact Savills on 01473 234 800.