Mystery surrounds a dispute between a council and contractors working on the £2.76million restoration of Felixstowe’s nationally-important seafront gardens.

East Anglian Daily Times: A computer image of a new shelter which is to be built in Felixstowe's seafront gardens as part of the renovation work.A computer image of a new shelter which is to be built in Felixstowe's seafront gardens as part of the renovation work. (Image: Archant)

Work on the project is still taking place but officials at Suffolk Coastal have instructed lawyers to act over a number of issues concerning the renovation.

Geoff Holdcroft, cabinet member for leisure and economic development, said: “Work on the seafront gardens restoration project began in mid-May 2013.

“Regrettably, however, contractual issues have arisen which are now subject to legal proceedings and in the hands of the council’s lawyers.

“It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further, other than to say that we are working to find a positive solution to allow this important project to proceed as planned.”

No details have been released of the issues which are in dispute – and whether they affect any of the elements of the design, materials, costs or timescales.

Work is still taking place in the gardens while efforts are made to resolve the issue.

Activity is taking place over several areas of the gardens, with the main work at the moment focused on the South Cliff Gardens next to Felixstowe Town Hall, and Ivy Terrace alongside the approach to the Spa Pavilion.

The contract for the project – to which the Heritage Lottery Fund is contributing £2.1m – was awarded to P Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd.

P Casey has won a number of awards for its work – most recently last year when the company received both the principal award and the grand award at the National Landscape Awards from the British Association of Landscape Industries for its restoration of Lichfield’s historic parks.

The firm is working alongside the council’s project manager Corinne Cappell and the project team of Mott MacDonald Ltd and Gleeds Cost Management Ltd.

The renovation, which aims to recapture the elegance of the Edwardian and Victorian gardens, is due to be finished by summer next year.