Ipswich Borough Council has unanimously approved plans to transform a long-abandoned office building on Wherstead Road into 24 flats.
The big picture: The site at 240 Wherstead Road, which has been vacant for 20 years, will be redeveloped as a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments after revised plans address initial concerns from residents and council departments.
By the numbers:
24 flats approved, down from 32 in the original proposal
Mix of 14 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom units
27 car parking spaces and 56 cycle parking spaces included
Key details:
The development will convert and extend the existing three-storey building, adding a fourth floor.
The applicant has committed to improving the surrounding area, including widening the footway, enhancing the nearby underpass, and upgrading street lighting.
Financial contributions totalling over £200,000 will be made towards local education, libraries, waste management, and public open spaces.
Between the lines: The approval comes after multiple revisions to the original plans, which faced objections from residents and some council departments.
Concerns included increased traffic, loss of privacy for neighbours, and potential impacts on local wildlife.
The developer reduced the number of flats and made design changes to address these issues.
What they're saying: "The proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of the principle of residential development on this site," the planning committee report stated.
The bottom line: This development aims to rejuvenate a derelict and disused site while providing new affordable housing in the town.
