Council seeks £2m funding for next phase of house building

Why it matters: The funding will enable the council to maintain momentum on its housing programme after delivering 402 new homes since 2021.

The details: Around £2m in unused contingency funding from the Ravenswood and Bibb Way developments will be transferred to the council's pipeline development budget. The money will support site identification, surveys, and design work for future housing schemes.

Each proposed development will require Executive approval before planning applications are submitted. The work will be carried out by Handford Homes, the council's wholly owned house building company.

The big picture: The council has completed 96 homes for affordable and market rent at Ravenswood, whilst the Bibb Way development of 150 new affordable rent homes is nearing completion. Handford Homes is also delivering housing at Fore Hamlet and Hawke Road.

What they're saying: Councillor Alasdair Ross, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "Ipswich Borough Council is committed to increasing affordable housing in Ipswich. Once the current schemes are completed, we will have delivered 402 new homes since 2021.

"It's encouraging that unused contingency funding from projects at Ravenswood and Bibb Way will enable us to move forward with the next phase of development. Handford Homes and its contractors have worked hard to bring complex projects in on budget as well as delivering high quality homes."

The bottom line: The council's ability to redirect savings from successful projects demonstrates effective budget management whilst maintaining its commitment to addressing Ipswich's housing needs.