Ipswich Waterfront 104-space car park at risk of closure

Ipswich Borough Council had refused Slade Street car park's application to discharge conditions in June - adding that if swift action is not taken then the car park would be out of use for at least six months.

The conditions included adding CCTV cameras, electric vehicle charging points, external lighting, 20 cycle parking spaces, six motorcycle spaces, six disabled parking bays and accessible ticket machines.

The council gave the applicants, Total Car Parks, until Monday to adhere to the conditions.

The council had put conditions on additional disabled parking bays and CCTV cameras. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

Total Car Parks has now added all the information that was needed except for the cycle parking spaces and accessible ticket machines. 

As a result, the borough council has extended the deadline to Thursday, August 8 - by when if the applicants do not add what is needed the car park will be closed for six months.

The car park sits between Fore Street and Key Street and has been used by customers to visit the Waterfront or the many businesses along the marina.

The borough council had fears over the use of 47 Key Street. (Image: Google maps)

Total Car Parks, with co-applicants Pick Smart, had applied to extend its stay by five years at the site in 2022. 

However, the application was rejected by Ipswich Borough Council - claiming that it would discourage the reuse of the building at 47 Key Street, which was last used by malting business R & W Paul in addition to the silo close-by.

Upon appeal, the application was granted, with conditions on parking and re-use of the site in January 2024.

Co-applicant Pick Smart has applied to the council for works on the office on 47 Key Street. 

It wishes to demolish a part of the building that is within the Ipswich Conservation Site and refurbish it as a new office with solar panels on the top. 

The council is still reviewing this application and has not decided on it as of yet.