Decision day looms for Ipswich plans to turn former Kent Hill Residential Home in Woodbridge Road into supported living

A former residential care home in Ipswich looks set to be used for supported living.

Grosvenor Hill Social Impact Group is seeking permission from Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) to turn 434 Woodbridge Road, the former Kent Lodge Residential Home, into 15 supported living units.

The units would be leased to United Response, a charity which looks after those with additional needs, such as autism, mental health concerns and physical disabilities.

The plans have been recommended for approval ahead of IBC’s planning and development committee tomorrow, pending agreement of a £1,823 contribution to the Suffolk Coast Recreational Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS).

Separate proposals from MXL Capital, which sought to turn the building into homeless accommodation, were withdrawn last year after complaints from neighbours.

A refurbishment will need to be done both inside and outside the building, which would include replacement windows, the installation of CCTV, and addition of a communal lounge.

Vehicle access from Woodbridge Road would be removed and added to Gordon Road.

Planning permission was granted to turn it into 13 supported living units in 2018, with the later withdrawn plans seeking to turn this into 29 units.