Ipswich flats in Sailmakers shopping centre given approval

The proposals had previously been submitted by the owners of the shopping centre, in Tavern Street, and aimed to convert the building’s first and second floors for residential use.

Ipswich Borough Council has now approved the application that will see the creation of 14 one-bed flats, six two-bed flats, and six studio flats spread across both floors.

An initial proposal to create 28 flats had been withdrawn.

According to planning documents, the flats would follow the same layout as each other, with a hallway off the communal corridor with cupboard space, a shower room, bedroom space and open plan kitchen, dining and living room.

There will be no extensions and only minor external alterations to create new windows, with no changes to any retail units in the shopping centre.

A decision had been due last month but it was delayed so an inspection of the site could be carried out.

Ipswich Central said it gave its backing to the project.

Speaking previously, Terry Baxter, chair of Ipswich Central, said: "The Connected Town '15-minute city' is a vision that Ipswich Central supports for Ipswich town centre.

Terry Baxter, of Ipswich Central (Image: Ipswich Central)

"Reshaping places so that everything needed is available within a 15-minute walking distance.

"One really important element of this is the creation of more town centre living space, so news that the owners of Sailmakers shopping centre are looking to develop the top floor for residential use is something that we warmly support.

"Going forward, the key is to ensure that a range of housing types are made available to meet the needs of different individuals and families."

However, there had been some objections to the plans on the basis that the units that were planned to be converted could be used to house new businesses.