East Suffolk Council
Plans to explore future of Martello tower gain support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund
East Suffolk Council has received funding for initial work on future uses for an historic former coastal defence in Felixstowe.
An £87,000 award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will enable development of a feasibility project for Martello Tower P.
Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project will include building surveys, business models, audience development and architectural designs, to explore a sustainable future for the prominent seafront landmark.
Martello Tower P, and Wireless Green on which it stands, are tangible reminders of the historic defensive chain that stretched along the south-east coastline.
The tower is one of a series of Napoleonic forts constructed on the east coast of England between 1808 and 1812.
Only its roof is currently occupied, by the National Coastwatch Institution, while the rest of the building remains vacant for most of the year.
Meanwhile, a Royal Observer Corps (ROC) monitoring post on Wireless Green has never been open to the public since its use during the Cold War.
A series of eight community engagement events have attracted more than 3,000 visitors and demonstrated significant interest in the tower over the last year. Of 638 respondents to a recent survey on the future of Felixstowe Seafront, 85% saw a unique opportunity to take forward the idea of Martello Tower P as a heritage destination.
The funding allows East Suffolk Council to build a long-term sustainable plan for the site, which will lead to improving the condition of, and access to important heritage assets at Wireless Green. This significant but early development phase will allow East Suffolk Council to test ideas and concepts to explore the potential future of Martello Tower P and Wireless Green.
Councillor Tim Wilson, East Suffolk Council cabinet member for Economic Development and Transport, said:
“We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now develop our plans to identify a sustainable future for Martello Tower P and ensure this unique heritage can be explored by visitors in years to come.”