Plans submitted to turn Bristos Skoda car dealership in Ipswich into retail store

Plans have been submitted to turn a town’s car dealership into a new retail store.

They were submitted to Ipswich Borough Council by Ian Head, of Head Properties, to change the use of the Bristos Skoda car dealership site, in Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, into a retail store.

The site has been used as a car showroom since 2002 and has a history of other commercial uses.

According to the planning documents, only minor external alterations would be made to the building, with the new retail unit proposed to operate between 6am and 7pm every day.

As part of the proposals the forecourt on the west side of the building, which currently has cars for sale and visitor parking, could be turned into a car park for the store.

If approved, the new store would employ between 15 and 20 people and serve day-to-day shopping needs.

As part of the pre-application process, planning officers concluded the site was in a sustainable position and the change of use would likely be acceptable, subject to protecting the amenity of nearby residents.

The application is now being considered by the council, with a decision target date set for October 28.