Ipswich council approve long-stay spaces at Crown Car Park

On Wednesday, Ipswich Borough Council discussed its proposal to convert 190 of the 508 spaces at the short stay multi-storey Crown Car Park into long stay.

Nine committee members present at the meeting voted in favour of this change, while one abstained. 

Nine members voted in favour of these plans.  (Image: Shikhar Talwar) As it stands, visitors are only able to park for up to five hours if they arrive before 2 pm — after this time, the maximum stay is until 8am the next day.

This is because of a condition imposed on the council, while the plans for the multi-storey car park were first approved in 2016.

Planning officers had recommended the plans for approval suggesting that the spaces would be largely used by nearby businesses and as a result would help the town centre economy. 

However, a representative from Savilles, who help the council maintain the car park, said: "A lot of employees were not returning to their work in the town centre because this car park does not offer them enough time to keep their cars parked. 

"Adding these long stay spaces will help improve the town centre economy."

Cllr Mortimer approved of these plans.  (Image: Lucy Taylor) This point was agreed to by Cllr Lynne Mortimer, who said: "I am very pleased to see the amendment of this condition.

"My husband who used to work in the town centre was very tired of the idea of having to move his car because of the short stay requirements in the car park."

Many motorists had also spoken in favour of these plans, with 25 representations made to the council in favour of the long-stay spaces. 

The application will not see an increase in total space at Crown Car Park, however, the council plans to additional EV charging points at the long-stay part of the car park.

Officers will be looking for businesses in the town centre to submit travel plans to them to apply for these spaces.