Community leaders are waiting to see who will buy land on Felixstowe seafront where a much-loved hotel once stood.
Bids for the former Cavendish Hotel site in Sea Road are expected to be in by the end of September – with the land already having permission for 48 apartments, 11 townhouses and three commercial units on the ground floor which would most likely be shops, restaurant or leisure uses for the resort.
The new owners will complete the multi-million pound scheme for the land, which most recently has been used for market stalls.
Bids will be made by informal tender.
Tony Lockwood, of commercial agents Savills said: “This is a unique opportunity to regenerate this part of Sea Road.
“We have already had some interest and we are anticipating a lot of interest from specialist developers.
“Felixstowe generally is on the up and we see a lot of interest in sites here. Developers are looking at Felixstowe.
“This is an important development for the town.”
The land is a key development site – a few yards from the new Martello Park homes and park project, where plans have also been announced for a new beach cafe.
The Art Deco style Cavendish Hotel, built by Tolly Cobbold, was a landmark in Sea Road overlooking the beach, until it was demolished in 1988 after falling into disprepair.
Suffolk Coastal District Council has approved detailed plans for a luxury, six-storey development on the land with many of the new homes having unbroken seaviews.
There will be 48 apartments which will include one and two bedroom homes, and five three-bedroom penthouses. Townhouses are planned on Beach Station Road and Micklegate Road.
There will be no affordable housing but the developer will have to pay a sum of £350,000 in lieu of social housing.
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