Plans to provide a pay and display car park at a Suffolk ferry are being recommended for approval despite a council receiving 23 objection letters.

Planners at East Suffolk Council are backing the council's own application for resurfacing and extension work to the car park near the Ferry Boat Inn at Felixstowe Ferry, which is set to be discussed by the planning committee on Tuesday (March 26).

However, a survey of 36 residents by representative body Felixstowe Ferry Residents Association found 23 opposed the plans and expressed concerns about a potential loss of residents' parking, safety issues and the potential negative impact of signage.

In October, the owner of the Ferry Boat Inn pub said he had not been consulted about the plans. 

The council is seeking to resurface and extend the existing informal parking next to Ferry Road to provide 21 spaces, as well as the pay and display facilities.

The site currently provides parking for 14 vehicles, but the council considers it to be in a poor state with uneven surfacing that causes the pooling of water, while there are no markings to separate the parking and footway so there is often unsafe parking over the path.

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In a statement, the council's planners said: "The proposed pay and display arrangement will formalise the facility and help to secure its long-term use as a car park towards supporting local businesses, including the adjacent public house, as well as the nearby café, restaurant and tearooms situated further north towards the ferry boat landing.

"The improvements will also encourage greater use of both the adjacent open green area and Millennium Green public recreation space positioned opposite." 

The car park will provide two spaces for disabled badge holders, while users will be able to buy from a range of ticket options, including 30 minute, two hour, four hour and daily.

READ MORE: Suffolk news