Ipswich: Call for debate on future of prefabs

Cllr John Mowles

The 122 properties in Inverness Road and Humber Doucy Lane were built in 1947 as emergency post-war housing but borough and county councillor Judy Terry said the housing is no longer fit for purpose.

“It concerns me the council has no plans for any improvements here, yet many residents are suffering from poor quality accommodation, which is inefficient and expensive to heat, when the council is committing millions of pounds to building new family houses with every possible luxury,” she added.

“Two developers, as well as the local architect, would be willing to work with the council and local residents to deliver a superb housing scheme.

“All I am asking is for the debate to start with residents, when it’s evident the council has no plans for the area, although there seems to have been a whispering campaign for the last two years, causing distress and uncertainty.”

She said an architect has come up with a simple layout for 200 houses and a 60 to 80-bed care home for the site.

John Mowles, Ipswich Borough Council’s portfolio holder for housing, said the prefab bungalows are challenging to maintain but are constantly reviewed to keep them up to standard.

He added: “However, we know that the vast majority of our tenants living in these houses absolutely love them.

“Whatever we do in future will be done with their best interests in mind and in full consultation with them.

“It is deeply irresponsible of Judy Terry to start waving her ill-thought out plans around in public without any thought about the effect it would have on tenants. It has caused a lot of distress to many elderly and vulnerable residents.”