A shipping container used as an outside bar and the installation of large solar panels are among nearly 70 cases under investigation by planning officers. 

Over the past three months, Ipswich Borough Council planners have addressed various concerns that have arisen with the town, with 67 cases under investigation as of the end of June.

Of these 67 reports, 35 were recorded between April and June.

These include 24 unauthorised operational developments plans, six unauthorised changes of use, and three breaches of conditions involving unauthorised works to protected trees. 

In a document to the council's planning committee, which meets next week, officers report they are seeing a rise in complaints in relation to outbuildings. 

One of the enforcement cases concerns a shipping container that has been used as an outside bar, attached to a prominent restaurant on the east side of Ipswich centre. 

The retrospective planning application was refused permission in November 2022.  

Due to the refusal, the case was referred to the planning enforcement department for further investigation, but no planning appeal was registered within the stipulated six-month period. 

The new owners of the business agreed to remove the container by the end of August 2023, in accordance with the planning refusal.  

Another complaint was recently received in regard to the installation of large solar panels on the roof of an outbuilding within the garden of a house in east Ipswich. 

Solar panels had been professionally installed, however, the installers had not followed the appropriate legislative guidance for this type of installation. 

Enforcement action was initiated, and the owners of the property have agreed to have the panels refitted correctly. 

The area of Ipswich that reported the most breaches was the Alexandra ward with five. 

The report says no notices or prosecutions have been issued within the first quarter of 2023/24. 

An appeal has been received in regard to a refused application for a student accommodation block. 

The plans included setting up a 160-bedroom building close to the Waterfront.