Developers of an £8.5 million project to transform two derelict Suffolk buildings into homes, commercial units and community buildings have appointed an Ipswich-based firm to carry out construction.

FW Properties, the property company behind the regeneration of the Whisstocks and Nunn’s Mill sites in Woodbridge, has announced Barnes Construction as contractor to deliver the scheme.

The Whisstocks project will see the area adjacent to the historic Tide Mill redeveloped to make way for apartments, shops, a riverside restaurant, a community boatshed and a new home for Woodbridge Museum.

Barnes Construction, a family firm founded in 1978, has been responsible for a number of award-winning projects, including Ipswich’s Bluebird Lodge intermediate care facility, the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) Treehouse and the Glasswells furniture store in Ranelagh Road.

Julian Wells, of Norwich-based FW Properties, which was appointed developer on behalf of site owner Whisstocks Developments Ltd, said: “I believe that we’ve succeeded in designing a scheme which respects Woodbridge’s heritage whilst delivering new facilities and homes which will be of real benefit to the town and its residents. “We’ve appointed Barnes because of their proven reputation for excellence and experience in working on historic sites in the area.

“We will be working closely with the Barnes team over the next few months to draw up the detailed construction plans and to establish an appropriate build programme to enable works to start in the summer.”

Mark Bailey, divisional director at Barnes Construction, said: “As a regional building contractor, with roots firmly embedded in the local community, we’re delighted to be working in partnership with FW Properties to redevelop these two brownfield sites adjacent to the Tide Mill in Woodbridge.

“We have a long association with the town, having successfully completed projects at Framfield Medical Centre, Ufford Park Hotel and Woodbridge School.”

The project was granted planning permission by Suffolk Coastal District Council last summer. When complete, it will comprise 14 flats overlooking the River Deben, ground floor commercial accommodation, a stand-alone two level commercial building, a community boatshed to potentially accommodate the construction of a replica Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon burial ship, a community heritage building to house the museum currently located on Market Hill and a new public space adjacent to the river and foreshore area.

The Nunn’s Mill scheme will be made up of seven town houses, four apartments and 1,500 square feet of ground floor commercial accommodation.