The future of a hospital block built urgently to cope with pandemic pressures will be decided this week.

The Alton Block was built at Ipswich Hospital in 2021 but is still required due to longer-term impacts of coronavirus.

The office block providing space for staff to undertake non-patient facing work gained permission under emergency development rights associated with coronavirus, which allowed it to function until the end of next year.

Applicants Ipswich Hospital and East Suffolk And North Essex NHS Foundation Trust are now asking for permission to retain the building for another seven years.

A planning statement says: "The coronavirus pandemic is expected to continue to place pressure on Ipswich Hospital.

"There is therefore a requirement for the building to be retained beyond the end of the temporary consent period.

"The building will assist in preventing, reducing and mitigating the factors attributed to coronavirus, and provide the necessary flexibility to adapt rapidly in the event of future public health crises."

The two-storey office block allows clinical support services that are not patient-facing to be located in a separate area. This frees up space for in-demand services elsewhere and helps them to run in a Covid-secure manner.

A loss of 54 visitor parking spaces is created by the building but a survey showed consistent capacity for visitor parking on-site remains – with approximately 85 spare spots at peak times.

The proposal includes a new entrance canopy and changes to the cladding colours to break its stark white appearance.

A residential area situated 120 metres to the east is divided with hedgerow and trees and, according to the officers’ report, no loss of privacy or daylight is caused by the block.

The only comment by an Ipswich resident on the application was one expressing fear the block could be used for other purposes.

In a report to councillors ahead of a meeting of Ipswich Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday, January 11, officers said: "Should the building be used for alternative purposes outside of what is approved, the operations may be subject to planning enforcement investigation."

Officers recommend approval.