Ipswich: Hanover Court flat plans decision due next week

Ipswich Borough Council’s planning and development committee will decide next week on the 1964-built complex in Hanover Court on Lacey Street. 

Residents living in Hanover Court were told to find new homes in 2021 after the building's owner said the property was set to close the following year. 

Earlswood Holdings (Colchester) Ltd submitted a proposal that includes converting 23 sheltered housing units into 24 flats, as well as refurbishing the building with a new canopy, new windows, doors, and section of external render. 

The works would not require the demolition of buildings but only the conversion of existing flats. 

24 letters of objection have been received against the proposal by residents who have raised their worry about the parking chaos on the site, calling the planning application "ridiculous". 

In addition to the parking problems, traffic congestion, cause noise, and reduce the value of the properties in the area were cited among the concerns. 

Residents also mentioned that if parking permits were refused to residents, this would create a real risk of "unacceptable overspill parking" on adjacent non-permit roads such as North Hill Road and Haslemere Drive. 

There were no objections from Suffolk Highways, police, or the borough's conservation and urban design group.

The applicant seeks to retain the existing car parking area, with five spaces indicated. 

Residents fear losing their parking spaces on Lacey Street, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

The plans see further conversion of the existing meeting room, office and kitchenette associated with the management of the sheltered housing development into two additional flats. 

This would result in a total of 26 one-bedroom flats, however, the application only seeks the continued occupation of the existing 23 one-bedroom sheltered flats and a caretaker's flat. 

The additional two flats are indicative only, and further planning applications would be required for them.