Plans to turn Ipswich Orwell Centre into 2 blocks of council flats recommended for approval
A former evangelical church looks set to be turned into two blocks of council flats.
A planning application, submitted by Handford Homes which is the housing arm of Ipswich Borough Council, has been recommended for approval at the Planning and Development Committee next Wednesday.
It would see the Orwell Centre in Fore Hamlet, where The Hope Church was located before its move to St Helen's Street, converted into 30 one and two-bedroom flats, with on-site parking, bin and bike stores.
All flats will be wheelchair accessible, or easily adapted to be so.
Demolition work on the site has already begun, the council said.
If the plans are approved, the flats could house tenants by 2024.
It will be recommended for approval, provided certain criteria are met.
These include ensuring 15 per cent of the building's energy comes from renewable sources, CCTV, railings and outside lighting are installed, and noise reduction measures are taken.