DEVELOPERS behind an £8million vision to regenerate a derelict boatyard have revealed details of a revised scheme ahead of handing in formal planning applications next week.

Last night Julian Wells, of FW Properties, gave an update to Woodbridge Town Council on proposals for the Whisstocks and Nunn’s Mill sites.

He said they had worked in close collaboration with the local community to refine the schemes, which should be tabled with Suffolk Coastal District Council at the end of next week.

A previous public consultation had led to some criticism relating to certain design aspects.

Speaking to the EADT ahead of last night’s meeting, Mr Wells said: “The public consultations were fantastic. We had a total of 229 responses, which we were very pleased with. Around 70% of these were supportive but we were incredibly keen to understand and analyse the responses of those who had concerns.

“The point of public consultation is for people to have a say on the plans. We’ve embraced that and now have a better scheme.”

The revised schemes have been drawn up by local architects Paul Weston and Charles Curry-Hyde.

The main principles for both sites remain the same but there have been revisions to the designs.

The proposed Whisstocks scheme is for four separate buildings – including a working boatshed in which it is envisaged an Anglo-Saxon ship could be built, an exact working replica of that discovered at nearby Sutton Hoo.

The project also features a heritage building for Woodbridge Museum and –central to the whole scheme – a community outdoor space that could be used all year round for maritime-themed events such as the town’s regatta.

In a change to the original plans all 14 holiday homes will now be in one building, along with a café, a bar and two shops. The fourth building – to be known as the Chandlery – will be a high- class restaurant.

The main buildings have also been simplified and slimmed down to reduce their bulk.

The boatshed and the heritage building would both be donated to the community and held in perpetuity by Woodbridge Town Council.

Mr Curry-Hyde said the changes had been made to ensure the scheme did not dominate the riverside setting.

“The tide mill is a beautiful little jewel of a building and what we make has to be subservient to that,” he said.