Felixstowe: Legal issues delay new Landguard visitor centre

Ship-spotters enjoying a morning watching the world's largest container ships arriving at Felixstowe port at the John Bradfield Viewing Area at Landguard.
TOURISTS will have to wait another year at least before a new visitor centre is in place at Landguard at Felixstowe, it was revealed today.


Go-ahead for the project was given last autumn and organisations on the peninsula – the county’s southernmost point – were hoping the centre would be in place this spring.
The area, which includes Landguard Fort, Felixstowe Museum, a nature reserve, bird observatory, and the port viewing area, has more than 700,000 visitors a year.
The Landguard Partnership wants the visitor centre to provide a focal point for those arriving to find out what there is to do at the different attractions.
It will also feature much-needed toilets, an exhibition hall, and a top quality 58-seat restaurant with panoramic view of Harwich Harbour.
But now the centre will not be in place until spring 2013. The delay is due to some legal matters still to be ironed out between Suffolk Coastal council and the Port of Felixstowe over planning consent, and difficulty in appointing caterers.
“The council has market-tested the demand from potential operators to run the proposed Landguard visitor centre and while two local businesses have expressed interest, they have highlighted some issues that we need to iron out with the Port of Felixstowe who are funding the construction of the building,” said a council spokesman.
“We appreciate that there may be reluctance from companies to commit to this project given that the centre is planned to be re-sited during the next five years and then facilities moved to the permanent visitor centre in 2018.
“The council also needs to agree the changes to the original planning agreement for the Port of Felixstowe’s reconfiguration project.
“We hope soon to be in the position to firm up the interest of potential operators and move forward with the appointment of an operator.”



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