IPSWICH'S most prestigious hotel is set to undergo a £5.5million extension which will see a new five-storey building constructed at the Waterfront.

IPSWICH'S most prestigious hotel is set to undergo a £5.5million extension which will see a new five-storey building constructed at the Waterfront.

The Salthouse Harbour Hotel has secured planning permission to demolish a neighbouring two-storey building which housed the old Neptune Snooker Hall and replace it with a new metal-clad structure housing 27 new rooms.

The hotel, which remains Ipswich's only four-star accommodation, will grow to 70 rooms in total, with a new registration area and lift constructed. The hotel's restaurant will also be extended as part of the project.

Robert Gough, Salthouse Harbour Hotel managing director, said: “We're very excited.

“There is a real buzz coming down on the Waterfront, it's very exciting with all the big developments.

“University Campus Suffolk is about to open up and that looks fantastic.

“The Waterfront is really starting to show itself as the jewel in Ipswich's crown.”

The 43-bedroom Salthouse opened in 2003 and gained a strong reputation in the town.

Planning permission was granted by Ipswich Borough Council last Wednesday and Mr Gough said the hotel was on the verge of purchasing the building earmarked for demolition.

Work is expected to get under way on the demolition on October 6.

Roger Gilles, senior partner at Barefoot & Gilles architects, the company which designed the new building, said: “What we've done is design a sort-of cuboid-shaped building which relates well to the existing building.

“It's going to be quite a powerful looking building.

“What we've got is quite a strong terracotta coloured metal clad building with very luxurious rooms inside.”

The building will have full-length windows and glazed balconies to capitalise on its Waterfront position.

“The Salthouse is the first four-star luxury hotel on the Waterfront and it's the most prominent one and we want it to stay that way,” Mr Gilles said.

The hotel will operate as normal while the new building is constructed.

“We're hoping to be up and running with the new building within about 12 months,” Mr Gough said.

What do you think of the plans for the Salthouse extension? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk