Felixstowe’s Sea Road will welcome 34-metre high wheel after council votes in favour

A Suffolk seafront observation wheel is expected to welcome tourists and residents this year.

East Suffolk District Council gave the go-ahead for the six-month installation in Felixstowe’s Sea Road in a unanimous vote today.

The 34.5-metre-high attraction would have capacity for carrying 144 people, with each of its 24 enclosures capable of holding six. One would be accessible for disabled people.

Cllr Mike Deacon said: “I think our resort is on the up and I think this will just enhance it.

“I am really relieved to note the six-month period, because we can address and problems and turn any future application down if there are big issues – but I don’t envisage there will be.

“I’m sure it will be quite successful, and I hope it is.”

Applicant Paul Hedges explained he hopes to open the wheel to the public in July this year, and would expect to have it removed in October if the weather stays calm enough to keep it up that long.

He also explained that stress tests will be undertaken before the wheel is installed and, again, before it is used by people.

As well as increasing visitor numbers to the area, the aim for the attraction would be to create employment for locals and additional income for businesses.

The site is owned by East Suffolk Council, and the application was submitted in cooperation with the Local Tourism Board.

Out of the 15 letters from members of the public consulted on the wheel,12 support the proposal and three are against.

Those backing the application point to the financial benefit of attracting tourists, including the support to local busineses, and the addition of a focal feature on the sea front.

Objections include the idea that the attraction would be visually overbearing, the impact of light and noise, potential antisocial behaviour, and overlooking.

It is hoped a ‘pay and display’ car park 150 metres from the wheel will make it easy for visitors to reach.

The applicant has put forward opening hours for Monday to Friday of 10am to 9pm, which officers would accept. However, officers propose a cut to the hours of operation for Sundays and Bank Holidays, so these match weekdays – rather than the applicant’s suggestion of 10am to 10.30pm.

Being close to the sea, the area is in a flood zone three – second-highest risk zone. However, the potential impact of flooding is lowered because the wheel would only be in place for six months, and council officers suggest the structure would displace only ‘very limited’ water during a flood event.