By Richard SmithA PLAN to build more than 60 flats on a cliff top has been strongly opposed.Developers want to demolish the Hamilton House offices in Cambridge Road, Felixstowe, and replace them with two blocks of flats, one of five storeys and the other of seven storeys.

By Richard Smith

A PLAN to build more than 60 flats on a cliff top has been strongly opposed.

Developers want to demolish the Hamilton House offices in Cambridge Road, Felixstowe, and replace them with two blocks of flats, one of five storeys and the other of seven storeys.

But residents claimed the proposal would block sea views and damage the setting of the former Edwardian “millionaires' hotel”, Harvest House.

They also argued the conservation area would be ruined and there would be parking problems and traffic congestion.

But the developers, Landro Ltd, said the project would provide an attractive, quality development on a site that was currently underutilised and unattractive. They added several amendments had already been made to the design following residents' comments and they would ensure the work did not destabilise the cliffs.

Most of the properties on Felixstowe's skyline between South Beach Mansions and Harvest House were built in the early 1900s when the town was a popular resort with the aristocracy - but residents felt the new development would spoil the area.

Margaret and John Dugdall, owners of the Castle Lodge Hotel in Chevalier Road, said they were disappointed that their sea views would be blocked by the proposed development.

Mrs Dugdall said: “We have people who come back year after year to use the same rooms because they love the sea views and enjoy sitting there with their binoculars watching the shipping.

“These flats will be huge and we will lose all our sunlight, as well as having to suffer increased traffic and parking problems. All these factors will deter guests from our hotel and result in a loss of business and we fear that our hotel would be unable to survive.”

The Felixstowe Society said the scheme had a “monolithic appearance” and would not be an asset to the conservation area.

A report by planning officers for today's meeting of Suffolk Coastal District Council's development control sub-committee said: “Of particular importance will be the district council's duty to pay particular regard to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the conservation area”.

Councillors are due to visit the site before a full report containing the latest consultation results is presented in May or June.

richard.smith@eadt.co.uk