East Suffolk Council

Felixstowe Beach Village consultation

Public consultation - Beach Village and activity site, Felixstowe

East Suffolk Council is committed to increasing tourism opportunities and facilities and are seeking to make further improvements to the south seafront area in Felixstowe.  

We would like your views on the concept including ideas for a name for the new site, which has the current working title of The Beach Village.

Proposed improvements include:

• relocating and revamping the Trim Trail within a new Activity Park close to the Beach Village
• re-landscaping the site to make it a more welcoming space
• adding further facilities in the Activity Park, offering more opportunities for exercise and physical activities to improve physical and mental wellbeing
• providing a well-managed area where people can come together to enjoy the outdoor space.
• new, fully accessible public conveniences on the Prom
• better facilities for local residents and tourists alike

The objective of the new site is to create a development, built to a high specification with enhanced accessibility, so that it is level or has ramp access from Sea Road and the Prom, protection from beach material, and low maintenance landscaping.

Proposed site of new Beach Village area and existing photographs

Concept design

The focus of the site will be a single storey accessible hut constructed from SIPS (self-insulating panels) that can be split into smaller rooms or pods. The inside of each pod would be an adaptable, flexible space with a connecting partition wall which could be removed, expanding the individual pods into two pods of two or one large unit consisting of all five separate pods into one space. These features will provide the opportunity to create a space which can be hired by groups, families or, potentially, to be used as a beach classroom or seaside venue. Power and running water would be installed in the pods.

Accessible hut design

Plaice Architects

Over the remaining area of the site, it is proposed that there will be 25 traditional beach huts located in landscaped surroundings. These will be a standard size but will feature wider doorways and lower transitions into the huts.

A new public convenience facility will also be built as part of the project. The design for the public convenience block is currently under discussion, but it is proposed that the site has toilets for men, women and disabled persons, together with Changing Places provision. The external design will reflect that of the modular pod building and the public conveniences will be easily reached from the Prom and the adjoining car park. Whilst the toilets will be within the village site, the landscaping will provide separation from the huts, but with a view to minimising the risk of vandalism. 

Activity Park

The current trim trail will be moved from its existing site to a bespoke activity park on the current volleyball site. Working with the town council, this area will be upgraded and equipped with new activity equipment, such as:

• concrete table tennis tables
• a petanque piste
• accessible picnic benches
• chess tables
• outdoor space for workouts
• possibly other small-scale facilities of a similar nature

The existing hedge between the Prom and the site will be removed to open up the space and encourage use, with the current ornamental wall being modernised. The site will also be landscaped.

Proposed Activity Park location

Concept design 1

Plaice Architects

Concept design 2

Plaice Architects

What happens next

We now want to hear your views on the plans. We would also love to hear any ideas you may have for a name for this area (we already thought of and discarded ‘Beachy McBeach Face’).

You can get in touch by contacting our Leisure Team.

The closing date for responses is 12 March 2021 and your feedback will be used to inform the designs for the sites prior to submission to Planning.