Council set to approve 60 flats above Ipswich Bazaar
Plans to convert the vacant upper floors of the former Woolworths building into 60 flats are set to be approved by Ipswich Borough Council's planning and development committee on Wednesday, 05 February.
Why it matters: The development would transform a long-vacant and run-down building in a prominent town centre location, delivering much-needed housing while retaining the ground-floor retail unit.
By the numbers: The conversion will be made up of:
- 32 one-bedroom apartments
- 25 two-bedroom apartments
- Three three-bedroom apartments
- 136 secure cycle parking spaces
- Zero car parking spaces, but includes car club provision
The details: The proposal by Carr Street Development includes:
- Private outdoor space for each flat through terraces, inset balconies or roof gardens
- Communal rooftop gardens accessible to all residents
- A new entrance from Cox Lane
- Light and dark grey brickwork additions
- Zinc-clad third-floor roof structure with biodiverse green roof
- Retention of the existing Ipswich Bazaar store at ground level
For context: The upper floors have been vacant since Woolworths closed in December 2008. The site forms part of the wider Mint Quarter development area and is allocated for residential use in the Local Plan.
Between the lines: While no affordable housing is required due to the development being predominantly flats on a brownfield site, the scheme will generate infrastructure contributions, including:
- £155,934 for primary education
- £59,878 for secondary and sixth-form education
- £130,608 for early years provision
- £34,987 for highway improvements
- £34,550 for NHS services
- £12,960 for libraries
- £8,400 for waste improvements
- £8,536.20 for recreational disturbance avoidance and mitigation
What they're saying: Planning officers wrote that while some gardens and amenity spaces do not meet recommended standards, "this is due to the constraints of the site, and its depth to facilitate a high-density development. The spaces will still provide usable external spaces to future occupiers, and the rooftop communal gardens will be available for use by all future residents."
What's next: The planning and development committee will consider the application this Wednesday. Officers recommend approval subject to conditions and completion of legal agreements securing infrastructure contributions.
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Below the line