Ipswich Borough Council to discuss bid for 24 new homes in derelict Wherstead Road site

Plans for 24 new homes in a town’s derelict site are due to be discussed.

Members of Ipswich Borough Council’s planning committee will be discussing plans to turn a derelict building along one of the principal routes into the town, at 240 Wherstead Road, into 24 new homes by extending the building into a third floor.

The plans were initially submitted by Tammie Homes Limited in January for 32 new homes but were revised twice due to local concerns.

A statement submitted by Vision Design & Planning Consultants on behalf of the applicant stated the proposals would revive a derelict building dating back to the 1950s.

The statement read: “The site appears as a gap in the street scene and the existing building a blot on the townscape.

“It has been vacant for some years and is now a derelict building that has suffered from squatters and vagrants using the premises.”

If approved, a 27-space carpark would also be delivered to serve 14 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom homes.

Across all of its iterations, the application has received 18 objections from residents, who raised concerns which included highway safety, noise, pollution, amenity, and antisocial behaviour.

Although affordable housing isn’t required due to the building sitting on a brownfield site, if the application is to be approved, the applicant will be required to pay about £236,000 in developer contributions — these would pay for such things as education improvements, waste, libraries, and open space.

According to the planning statement, the plans would ensure the delivery of, high-quality residential development, significant greening, townscape enhancements, economic benefits, and better connectivity to the town.

The committee will be considering this application on Wednesday, August 21.