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HMO seeks retrospective planning for former care home on Felixstowe Road

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A former Ipswich care home, which closed following poor ratings in 2023, has been operating as a house in multiple occupancy (HMO) without prior planning permission.

Why it matters: The application seeks to formally change the use of the former Warren Heath Residential Home from a care facility to a house in multiple occupancy (HMO) for 19 people.

The former Warren Heath Care Home on Felixstowe Road in Ipswich is now operating as a HMO
The former Warren Heath Care Home on Felixstowe Road in Ipswich is now operating as a HMOOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The details: The property, located just off Felixstowe Road, will maintain its existing 19 bedrooms - the same number it had when operating as a care home.

For context: The care home was closed in July 2023 following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in March 2023 that rated the service as "inadequate".

The bottom line: The application confirms no material changes will be made to the building, with the submission focusing solely on formalising the change of use.

Planning reference: IP/24/00758/FUL

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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Albanian drug dealer jailed after hiding cocaine in underwear

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An Albanian man who concealed cocaine in his underwear and presented a fake driving licence to police has been jailed for 38 months.

Why it matters: The arrest led to the discovery of more than £20,000 worth of uncut cocaine at an Ipswich address. Regi Salillari, 28, from Albania, was stopped by officers from the West Area Sentinel team on 29 January while driving in Thorney Way, Stowmarket.

Albanian drug dealer Regi Salillari
Albanian drug dealer Regi SalillariSuffolk Constabulary

The details: When approached by police, Salillari attempted to deceive officers by producing a counterfeit Italian driving licence.

Officers searched him and found:

  • Four bags of cocaine hidden in his underwear

  • More than £500 in cash

Following his arrest, a search of an address in Ipswich uncovered:

  • More than £20,000 worth of uncut cocaine

  • Over £1,000 in cash

Cash and cocaine was seized by police
Cash and cocaine was seized by policeSuffolk Constabulary

In court: Salillari appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on 26 March, where he pleaded guilty to:

  • Possession with intent to supply cocaine

  • Driving with no insurance

  • Possessing a fraudulent document with intent to deceive

What they're saying: PC Harry Tully from the West Sentinel team said: "Salillari came to Stowmarket with the sole intention of supplying Class A drugs in the town. When intercepted by officers he attempted to deceive them by proving false details and producing fake documents which he had clearly gone to some lengths to obtain."

"Fortunately, the tenacious officers quickly saw past this elaborate ruse and he was arrested. We will continue to proactively target those involved in organised crime wherever they might be in our county."

The bottom line: Salillari now begins a 38-month prison term, as Suffolk authorities maintain their stance of significant custodial sentences for Class A drug dealers operating in the county.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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