Plans to turn a long-vacant historic Ipswich building into flats unanimously supported
The building's been vacant for nearly 20 years
Last updated 30th May 2024
Plans to turn a historic building in Ipswich — vacant for nearly 20 years — into 40 flats have been unanimously supported.
Members of the borough’s planning committee met earlier this week to decide the future of Ipswich County Hall, a Grade II* listed building in St Helen’s Street.
The building was used as council headquarters for the former East Suffolk County Council until 1974, and the Suffolk County Council until 2005, but has been vacant ever since.
Plans to turn it into a residential building were submitted in 2018 and approval was granted two years later subject to conditions, one of which required the applicant, Harris and Wilton, to pay s106 financial contributions and include three affordable units.
Since then, however, a financial viability assessment was prepared which showed the estimated gross development value of the project would be about £10,361,115, while gross development costs would be about £11,307,317.
This meant the scheme was considered unviable, and councillors were asked this morning to waive the need for s106 financial contributions and the three affordable units when agreeing to sign the legal agreement for work to begin at the site.
Despite this, officers noted, RAMS contributions amounting to £5,690.80 still remained.
Cllr Carole Jomes welcomed the update adding it was important the historic building was brought back into use.
The building was a courthouse before it was in use by East Suffolk County Council, with parts of it dating back to 1837.
The plans were unanimously approved by councillors.