An £8million transformation of a derelict boatyard looks set to soon be given the green light.

Suffolk Coastal District Council will meet next Thursday to discuss proposals for the Whisstocks site in Woodbridge. The plans have been recommended for approval subject to various conditions. An associated application for the nearby Nunn’s Mill site also looks set to be given the go ahead. The original schemes received some criticism, but were re-drawn following consultation with the community. The designs were commissioned by Norwich-based developer FW Properties on behalf of Whisstocks Developments Ltd and its funder, Investec Bank.

The Whisstocks scheme is for four separate buildings – including a community boat shed that will be used to build a full-size working replica of the Sutton Hoo Anglo Saxon ship, and a heritage building, which will house Woodbridge Museum. There would also be a high-class restaurant and another building for 14 holiday homes, a café, a bar and two shops. Central to this would be an outdoor space for community events and the slipway will also be reinstated. The boat shed and the heritage building would be donated to the community.

The application has been backed by Woodbridge Town Council and the Woodbridge Society - although there are some fears over the proposed buildings’ impact on the nearby tide mill. The district council has also received 40 letters of objection citing various concerns from the potential impact on the landscape and poor design through to the residential elements being out of character with the surrounding area and a lack of parking.

A report to SCDC’s South Area Development Control Sub-committee recommends the authority approve the scheme subject to various conditions, including an agreement to ensure the delivery of community benefits and controls over the holiday units to ensure they do not become permanent dwellings.

“The proposed design of the development proposals are considered to enhance the character of the conservation area and would not adversely affect the setting of nearby listed buildings and the AONB,” the report reads. “If, after further analysis of the submitted Confidential Viability Report, the scheme is shown to be economically viable, and will ensure the delivery of the community benefits then the proposal can be recommended for approval subject to a Section 106 Agreement ensuring the provision of the community benefits and controls to ensure the holiday units on the Whisstocks site do not become permanent dwellings.”

Approval for Nunn’s Mill - which could include seven town houses, four flats and two commercial units - would also be subject to a 106 agreement to phase the sale of houses.