Plans to turn Suffolk House in Civic Drive into flats

The owners of Suffolk House in Civic Drive, next to Brooke Lawrance House, want permission to change the building from offices to housing after submitting a planning application to Ipswich Borough Council.

They are also putting in a separate application for changes to the outside, including new cladding and new cycle and bin storage on the lower ground floor.

Plans have been submitted for Suffolk House to become flats (Image: Tom Cann)

If the scheme goes ahead, the existing car park will stay.

There are 249 spaces, which works out at about three spaces per flat, plus more than 200 secure cycle spaces.

Suffolk House sits in a high flood risk area because of its closeness to the River Orwell.

A flood report with the plans says the lower ground floor could flood in a serious tidal event, but the flat bedrooms would be above that level. Residents on the lower floors would be told to sign up for flood alerts and could move to upper floors if water ever reached the building.

Plans have been submitted for Suffolk House to become flats (Image: Tom Cann)

The developers say there are no major problems with noise, contamination or heritage, and that every habitable room will have natural light.

Because of the height of the building, a detailed fire safety strategy is included, with an upgraded firefighting stair and smoke control measures built into the design.

The application has been made online and the developer has paid a fee of just over £21,000.

The council will decide whether to give prior approval for the change of use in due course.

Plans have been submitted for Suffolk House to become flats (Image: Tom Cann)