TRAFFIC and car parking will have to be addressed prior to a £25million development in Ipswich getting the go-ahead, it has been revealed today.As revealed in yesterday's Evening Star total of 214 flats, a new indoor craft market, workshops and retail units are planned for the former HQ of animal feed firm BOCM Pauls, opposite the Old Custom House.

TRAFFIC and car parking will have to be addressed prior to a £25million development in Ipswich getting the go-ahead, it has been revealed today.

As revealed in yesterday's Evening Star total of 214 flats, a new indoor craft market, workshops and retail units are planned for the former HQ of animal feed firm BOCM Pauls, opposite the Old Custom House.

Developers ESHA homes is aiming to submit a full application to Ipswich Borough Council next month and hopes a decision will be made in around three months, allowing a programme for work to be drawn up.

However council leaders said they have little knowledge of the plans and are concerned about the effect of such a development on the existing infrastructure.

Liz Harsant, leader of Ipswich council, said she feels the site's position, in the middle of two busy one-way roads, could hamper the proposal.

She said: “I think it is a very ambitious scheme.

“Creating a plaza sounds wonderful on paper but boy is that not going to work.

“30,000 cars a day go along that area.

“Until you solve that problem of east to west traffic I don't think you can talk about that.”

Richard Atkins, portfolio holder for planning, said he is looking forward to seeing the plans but conceded something needs to be done about traffic in that area.

He said: “It is in an area that does need regeneration and it is good to have something that establishes a link between the Waterfront and town centre.

“I would be curious to see the traffic implications.

“We have to accept that you can't just carry on driving everywhere.

“There has to be a change in people's habits.”

Meanwhile Paul West, portfolio holder for transport, said he is concerned that if an application does not include parking provision it could have a negative impact on neighbouring roads.

He said: “Regenerating that area is good but needs to be balanced by access issues.

“Another 214 flats is a lot when there are already lots there.”

Do you think the development will increase traffic in the area? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk