PLANS for one of Ipswich's oldest companies to move could take up to two years to complete, the Star can reveal today.Industrial manufacturers CompAir Reavell will be leaving its Ranelagh Road site after selling up to developers Fairview Homes.
PLANS for one of Ipswich's oldest companies to move could take up to two years to complete, the Star can reveal today.
Industrial manufacturers CompAir Reavell will be leaving its Ranelagh Road site after selling up to developers Fairview Homes.
The company has been based at the site since 1898 but cuts to its workforce over the years have meant it not longer needs such large grounds.
It is expected CompAir will find alternative premises in Ipswich rather than leave the area.
The buyout by Fairview now means the developers have two major sites in Ipswich – Ranelagh Road and the former Holden Timber base in Duke Street.
To date, Fairview has not submitted planning applications to develop either site.
But it has now revealed it expects discussions with planners at Ipswich Council to last at least two years – meaning CompAir Reavell could stay in Ranelagh Road until mid-2006.
Fairview expects it will build a mixture of residential and commercial buildings on the site.
Stephen Casey, of Fairview Homes said: "Until we talk to the local authority and see how much we can co-operate with them there is not much we can say.
"It will definitely be a mixed site. CompAir will stay for up to two years while they look for new premises."
If the company are given the go-ahead to build residential properties in Ranelagh Road, the new homes could attract a premium price with views over the river.
"Ipswich has got a long of things to proud of in the dock area and we want to be part of that," said Mr Casey.
No plans have yet been finalised for the future of the Holden Timber site, which Fairview bought in April.
"We bought the site just over a month ago, everything we have done has been in discussion with the local authority," said Mr Casey.
"We need to get into more detailed discussions to see what they are prepared to accept.
"Within the next two or three months things will have progressed."
What would you like to see happen at Ranelagh Road and Duke Street? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk
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