Ipswich Borough Council to discuss Sailmakers flats plans

The local authority is set to discuss five application on Wednesday.

One of these applications is for 26 flats to be created inside Sailmakers Shopping Centre.

The application is for a change of use from retail to residential for the first and second floors of the shopping centre in the high street.

The plans would only convert vacant space on the first and second floor, previously used for storage by previous retailers before leaving the shopping centre.

Sailmakers Shopping Centre could be the home of new flats (Image: Newsquest)

The recommendation is to grant the application, subject to many conditions being followed.

Also on the agenda is Westbourne Academy's application to install 20 two-car solar panel canopies within the car park.

This would provide 40 7kW electric vehicle charging points, which can fully charge a vehicle in between four and eight hours.

This has been put forward as the school has seen an increasing demand from staff and visitors for these facilities.

Westbourne Academy could have solar panels and electric vehicle charging soon (Image: Sarah Lucy brown)

The recommendation is the committee grant the planning permission, subject to conditions.

There are two car park applications to be discussed as well, including Portman Road B car park and Elm Street car park.

Portman Road B car park, which provides 130 spaces for cars, 10 for motorcycles, 10 cycle spaces and five disability spaces, is open 24 hours a day.

Portman Road B Car Park could continue to be a long-stay car park (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The application is to extend the temporary permission for the car park, next to Ipswich Town's Portman Road ground, to allow it to continue to be a long-stay public car park.

This is being recommended for approval, as long as use is ceased on or before February 9, 2027.

The owners of Elm Street car park have applied to continue to be a short-stay car park on a temporary basis for a further three-year period.

Elm Street Car Park, opposite Ipswich Magistrates Court (Image: Google Maps)

The car park, located across the road from Suffolk Magistrates' Court, is being recommended for approval with conditions.

The creation of new vehicular access, additional parking and a side and rear extension to the commercial building based at 53-65 White House Road is also to be discussed.

This again has approval recommended with conditions.