MORE flats are on the cards in Ipswich today after an application was made to turn an Ipswich landmark into 28 student apartments.

MORE flats are on the cards in Ipswich today after an application was made to turn an Ipswich landmark into 28 student apartments.

Alexander House, in St Matthews Street, has been empty for several years and last year plans were afoot to turn the building into a mixture of flats and commercial units.

However, the owners, Engender Developments are now hoping to turn the building into six flats and 22 studios.

The properties will be aimed at students joining Suffolk's new university, University Campus Suffolk, which is due to begin taking on students towards the end of this year.

If planning permission is granted the students could be accommodated in one of Ipswich's most well-known buildings.

Alexander House, near Barrack Corner, is not a listed building but was recognised as being of special architectural interest by the Ipswich Society in 1984.

The house was originally a large, privately owned home with extensive grounds to the rear.

It was built in about 1850 for the Quaker banker and 19th century photographer Roger Dykes Alexander.

London based architects Endyion Architects have designed a conversion of the building, opposite the former Half Moon and Star pub, with proposals to improve the exterior.

The building will have new zinc cladding, timer cladding and slate cladding as well as new brick work.

Engender Developments submitted the planning application to Ipswich Borough Council on March 8 and letters have been sent to neighbouring properties.

Residents and businesses have until April 2 to submit comments on the application and a decision whether to grant planning permission is expected by June 7.

What do you think Alexander House should become? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk