21 July 2012 Last updated at 09:29 ET

Felixstowe seafront regeneration costing £20m begins

The redevelopment leaves space around the grade II-listed Martello tower

Work has begun on a £20m regeneration project which will see 127 homes built along an area of derelict seafront in Suffolk.

The project covers 17.5 acres along the Felixstowe coast next to the grade II-listed Martello tower.

The seafront will also be developed as part of the Martello Park project, which is expected to take four years to complete.

A total of 97 three-bedroom houses and 30 two-bedroom flats will be built.

Thirteen of the properties will be available to rent via a housing association.

Andrew Marns, regional managing director for developer Bloor Homes, said the regeneration would "carefully complement and respect the historic Martello tower".

The tower, which was built in about 1810, will be repaired and refurbished as part of the project.

Suffolk Coastal councillor Robert Whiting, cabinet member for resources, said: "We have worked hard to achieve a scheme that both successfully enhances the south seafront area and keeping any ongoing costs to the council taxpayer down to a minimum."

The start of the construction work means the Wireless Green car park has now closed.