Decision day looms on plans for flats at former Ipswich Woolworths building in Carr Street

Decision day looms on plans to turn parts of a prominent building in Ipswich town centre into flats.

In March 2022, proposals were submitted to Ipswich Borough Council, seeking to convert the upper floors of the old Woolworths building in Carr Street into as many as 60 flats.

At the time the plans were lodged, the building’s ground floor was home to Poundland, but has since been taken over by Ipswich Bazaar, which opened last year.

The plans, which would convert the first and second floors of the ‘unsightly’ building alongside construction of an extension at the back, have been recommended for approval at Ipswich’s planning committee meeting next Wednesday.

The authority is expected to ask the applicant to complete a legal agreement to secure financial contributions plus legal fees otherwise the plans may be refused down the line.

These fees include £155,934 towards primary education, £29,939 each for secondary school and sixth form provision and £130,608 towards early years.

Chris Clark, structural engineer, said the building was suitable for the change.

If approved, the building would be ‘enlivened’, the applicant said, with the upper floors being reworked to create terraces and large glass areas.

Structures would be built on the roof to help improve the look of the building and create more room for flats on the third floor.

In total, there would be 32 one-bedroom flats, 25 two-bedroom flats and three three-bedroom flats.

The upper floors of the building have been vacant since Woolworths shut in 2008.

Entrance would be gained via Cox Lane and 136 cycle spaces would be provided.

However, none of the flats would be designated as affordable, the plans added.