THE proposed new Crown Court for Ipswich takes a step closer to reality today as details of the four-storey building are released.Destined to be built on the fringes of the new Ipswich Village in Russell Road, the design of the futuristic complex has been placed with borough planners.

THE proposed new Crown Court for Ipswich takes a step closer to reality today as details of the four-storey building are released.

Destined to be built on the fringes of the new Ipswich Village in Russell Road, the design of the futuristic complex has been placed with borough planners.

The Court Service has submitted its plans for the new legal centre and if approved it would replace the late 1960's building in Civic Drive.

Included in the application is the construction of service areas, associated parking and changed access to Russell Road and West End Road.

The site, currently being used as a car park, is opposite Fitness First and the £35 million TXU's UK Business Centre.

Work began on the business centre just over a week ago and marks the latest development in the innovative Ipswich Village project likened to Chelsea Village.

Ipswich Village already includes the football club, AXA on Civic Drive and BT on Bibb Way. By moving the Crown Court it would not only give much needed improvement to the service but broaden the facilities of the new area.

For the last three decades the legal centre of Ipswich, including the police station, has been in the Civic Drive, Elm Street, Museum Street area.

The proposed moving of the Crown Court would break out of this triangle and as yet there is no suggestion of other moves.

It is expected that the existing crown court building will become an extension to the magistrates' courts once the new building is completed.

The architect of the glass-dominated building is Mike Yates of the Cheshire-based firm of Austin, Smith and Lord.