Felixstowe: Developers act to stop nightclub fears at edge-of-town Tesco complex
A computer-generated image showing what the Walton Green Tesco development at Felixstowe would look like from Walton High Street. - Credit: Archant
FEARS that a nightclub or fast food outlet could be opened as part of Felixstowe’s proposed Tesco complex were today quashed by the developers.
Town councillors voiced worries that an “open use” building to be built at Walton Green could be put to a variety of uses, many of which would not be welcomed by the community as they could attract night-time disturbance and anti-social behaviour.
The Walton Green Partnership originally said the building would be for community use – a flexible space for meetings, events and activities such as sport, scouts and guides.
Now this appears to have been abandoned, and the building – 8,202sq ft on two floors – will be for commercial use.
Town councillors were told the range of uses applied for meant it could be anything from a shop to light industry, hot food to a nightspot.
Andy Smith, chairman of the council’s plans committee, said uses such as chiropodist or accountant would not be out of place but the worst case of a pub or nightclub would be a “potentially disturbing issue” for residents.
Councillor Mike Stokell said it was also possible that non-food retail could be housed in the building – the items Tesco would not be selling in their supermarket, but removing another reason for people to shop in the town centre.
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He said: “I think the use of this building needs to be properly explained and defined.”
A spokesman for the Walton Green Partnership said: “Whilst a range of community and retail uses have been applied for, a nightclub was never one of them and is not something we would consider.
“Further to the town council meeting, we are ensuring bars and hot food takeaways are not a possibility either.
“We think this building presents a great opportunity for a community-based venture to take on a shop or service and we’d love to hear what people would like to see there. People can get in touch via our website www.waltongreen.co.uk.”
Suffolk Coastal has also been given an undertaking that the unit will not be used in any way by Tesco.
