An application to create nine new flats in an office block near the Old Cattle Market bus station has been refused over concerns regarding natural light. 

Attempts to convert the three-storey Knapton Court building in Ipswich's Turret Lane into flats have been underway for the past 18 months. 

In January last year, an application was submitted to Ipswich Borough Council which suggested creating six one or two-bedroom flats in the vacant office building, with a total of six available parking spaces. 

However, with the flats in such close proximity to the bus station, it was hoped that they would be particularly attractive to potential residents who did not own their own cars.   

These plans were approved in May 2022. Since then, a further application was submitted in April this year which instead suggested creating nine flats in the building. 

Ipswich Borough Council refused this application on June 14.

In its decision notice, the council explained that applicants must provide details which will allow the levels of a home’s natural light to be assessed. 

The council said: “In this instance, the applicant has failed to provide elevations of the dwellinghouses.” 

Elevations refers to the appearance or structure of a building, when viewed from the outside. 

The council continued: “From the submitted floor plans, there would be no external window to the kitchen/lounge area of Flat One nor to the study of Flat 5. Adequate natural light is not provided to these rooms. 

“Consequently, the applicant has failed to demonstrate that adequate natural light would be provided to all habitable rooms of the dwellinghouses. Without adequate natural light the development would fail to provide an acceptable living standard contrary to the requirements of the NPPF [National Planning Policy Framework, which his set out by the government].”