Proposals for a number of flats to be built on the ground floor and first floor of vacant offices in Ipswich have been refused by the council.

Ipswich Borough Council refused the plans, which are to build 17 flats in Gainsborough House in Lower Brook Street, due to flooding concerns.

The site falls within an area at risk of tidal and surface water flooding and the only way the plans would have been allowed is if it could have been demonstrated that any residual risk can be safely managed, the council has said.

As part of the initial submitted plans, the Floor Risk Assessment stated that the site will flood up to a level of 5.24 metres during a tidal event.

It stated that the risk is low but it showed that there was a residual risk.

The lowest finished floor level is 3.42 metres in the building, with the council finding that due to this level, including sleeping accommodation being at the level, there is not a sufficient management to the residual risk, despite the applicating putting forward mitigation including sumps, pumps, means of escape and alerts.