101 new homes proposed across two Ipswich sites

Ipswich Borough Council's Executive is being asked to approve the next stage of two proposed housing developments that could deliver more than 100 new affordable homes in the town.

City of culture or not, culture is at the heart of our regeneration story

Lee Walker, Ipswich Central CEO and the person who first proposed the funding model behind Ipswich's culture strategy, responds to our earlier feature, arguing the real question is whether Ipswich believes culture can drive its economy, with or without the City of Culture title.

Council rejects challenges over decision to take Government to court over reorganisation

Suffolk County Council has rejected four opposition challenges to how it decided to pursue legal action against the Government over local government reorganisation (LGR), but has declined to publish its reasoning or comment further on the decision.

Should businesses underwrite Ipswich's culture strategy even if it loses City of Culture?

Win or lose its bid to become the 2029 City of Culture, local businesses are being asked to fund a "city of culture" regardless. Can the council convince a cash-strapped private sector to look beyond its past performance and fund its ten-year culture strategy?

Gazal's: From basement salon to Upper Brook Street

Mrs Singh arrived in England 15 years ago, and built more than a beauty salon in a small unit in the Buttermarket – she built a found family. Now, alongside her daughter Santghai, she has stepped into the light on Upper Brook Street, carrying the same vigor with her.

2.8m people in the East have registered as organ donors – have you?

The NHS is urging people across the East of England to register their decision to donate organs and discuss their wishes with family, after new figures showed family consent for donation has fallen sharply over the past five years.

'A serious mess': Tacket Street and Tower Ramparts revert back to NCP

Both Tacket Street and Tower Ramparts car parks have reverted back to NCP, days after the sites changed hands to new operator Q-Park, with one NCP attendant describing the situation as "a serious mess".

Ipswich law firm Ellisons names mental health charity partners

Ipswich law firm Ellisons has launched a year-long partnership with Suffolk Mind and Mid and North East Essex Mind, with colleagues set to fundraise, volunteer and raise awareness for mental health.

Suffolk 'stands no chance' without devolution deal

Following last Thursday's announcement that mayors will be handed a share of income tax and business rates revenue, Suffolk's Chamber of Commerce and mayoral candidates have urged the government to press ahead with devolution for Suffolk and Norfolk.

Pressure mounts on East Suffolk Council leader to resign over 'neglectful' recycling 'fiasco'

Calls are growing for Caroline Topping, the Green leader of East Suffolk Council, to resign over the troubled Better Recycling rollout, as questions are raised (and answered) over whether better performance figures reflect a genuine improvement or a change in how they are counted.

Historic WWII boat's Ipswich cruise business for sale

The Allen Gardiner, a restored Second World War rescue launch operating as a river cruise and dining business from Fox's Marina, has been listed for sale for £150,000 as its owner prepares to retire.

Five crews tackle fire at Warren Heath retail park

Five fire crews were called to tackle a blaze in an outside storage area near B&M at Warren Heath Retail Park on Monday evening, with local residents told to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke.

Five men released under investigation following alleged rape on Curriers Lane

The five men arrested on suspicion of rape following a report of a serious sexual assault on Curriers Lane have been released under investigation, Suffolk Police have confirmed.

Bus driver hospitalised after being punched twice in road rage row

A bus driver needed hospital treatment for a broken nose and stitches after a driver got out of his car and punched him through the window – then again as he tried to take his registration.

Five men arrested after alleged serious sexual assault in Ipswich

Police have arrested five men on suspicion of rape following a report of a serious sexual assault at an address on Curriers Lane in the early hours of Sunday, 2 August, with a scene still in place.

One in six children abused as charity says few cases reach court

New figures show one in six children in England and Wales will experience sexual abuse before turning 18 — this is up from one in ten. Suffolk charity Brave Futures says just 15% of the children it has supported over the past 14 years have seen their case reach prosecution.

University of Suffolk celebrates 10 years of independence

The University of Suffolk has officially turned 10 this week, having evolved from Suffolk College into a fully independent institution, with a year of celebration events planned across the county.

Aerosol can exploding on heat source likely cause of Princes Street blast, police say

Police believe an aerosol can exploded after being placed on a heat source, causing a blast that damaged windows at a block of flats on Princes Street, Ipswich – with the road and building now reopened and residents allowed back.

Glass strewn across street after explosion rips through Ipswich flat

An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after an explosion shattered windows at a block of flats on Princes Street, Ipswich, on Friday night.

Toothless in England: Dental campaign challenges new NHS board

A campaign group has called on the newly merged Norfolk & Suffolk NHS board to explain millions of pounds in unspent dental funding and set out a plan to improve access for patients.

Councillors side with residents over petrol station plans

Despite officers recommending approval, Ipswich councillors said they had "quite a lot of sympathy" for objecting residents, deferring a petrol station redevelopment on Woodbridge Road over unresolved road safety and noise concerns.

New operator to take over two of NCP's Ipswich car parks following administration

Q-Park will take over NCP's Tacket Street and Tower Ramparts car parks from 1 August, after the troubled parking giant confirmed it will cease operating both sites as part of its ongoing administration.

Meet EV Sheeran – the car made to be shared by Ipswich

With insurance, servicing and charging bundled in, Suffolk's electric community vehicles are betting shared cars can replace a family's second car, or even the first, easing congestion across Ipswich. We spent an afternoon riding along in EV Sheeran to find out more.

Six-bedroom Cecil Road HMO refused after safety fears

Plans to turn a family home on Cecil Road into a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation have been refused, after council officers warned its only kitchen would be so cramped it could pose a safety hazard.