AS a town it boasts some of the most stunning Grade I listed buildings across the whole of East Anglia. Hundreds of people have at some time admired the architecture of buildings such as Christchurch Mansion and the historic Unitarian Meeting House.

AS a town it boasts some of the most stunning Grade I listed buildings across the whole of East Anglia.

Hundreds of people have at some time admired the architecture of buildings such as Christchurch Mansion and the historic Unitarian Meeting House.

But now, thanks to a building preservation group, a few of the more little known gems in Ipswich are to receive historic recognition for the first time.

The Ipswich Society is compiling a Grade III list of important properties in Ipswich that are valuable either in their unique design, technical innovation or their association with an historical event.

It will be the first list of its kind to be drawn up in almost 18 years and is expected to include more than 2,500 structures.

Mike Cook, planning monitor co-ordinator for the society, said although the document is not a legal necessity, it is vitally important for planning, development, conservation and educational reasons.

"Changes in planning law have made the list important in planning applications in conservation areas," he said.

"The Ipswich Society last published the list in 1985, we now need to recreate the list and where necessary describe and illustrate most of the entries.

"Several have been demolished and there are many suitable additions."

The society is working closely with borough conservation officers in compiling the list, which is expected to take many years to complete.

A number of buildings have already been listed including properties in Arthur's terrace, off Woodbridge Road, and a selection of properties along Fonnereau Road.

The society is mainly looking at including 16th, 17th and 18th Century buildings, major 19th Century properties and major 20th Century buildings up to 1973.

Ipswich presently has nine Grade I listed buildings including Christchurch Mansion, St Margaret's Church, the Ancient House and the Willis building – the youngest building to be given Grade I listing in the country.

It also is home to an impressive collection of Grade II listed properties ranging from the Margaret Catchpole public house in Cliff Lane, St Mary at the Elms Church in Elm Street, the Great White Horse Hotel in Tavern Street and Gippeswyk Hall in Gippeswyk Avenue.

The Grade III list is being put together by members of The Ipswich Society, who plan to photograph and describe hundreds of different buildings.

The information will be stored digitally and then published on paper and the form of CR-ROM.

"We must hope that this long and difficult project can be brought to fruition over the next few years. It will indeed be another landmark in the society's history," said Mr Cook.

Anyone wanting to make a suggestion of a building that might be worthy of inclusion on the list can email Mike Cook at mikeck@onetel.net.uk