A shopping area in east Ipswich will be in line for a major redesign if a proposal to create new buildings on the site is given the green light by town planners.

The centre in question is in Felixstowe Road and is currently home to a Co-op store and an Aldi, along with three other small retail units which are currently vacant.

But according to plans sent to Ipswich Borough Council, the East of England Co-op wants to demolish the three smaller buildings and replace it with a new retail unit.

The company is also applying for a new convenience store, together with a funeral parlour.

It is understood Aldi would be likely to take on the new convenience store.

The two main existing units on the site would be refurbished and the existing Aldi store will be divided into two separate stores.

The current Co-op store on the site will also have its floor space reduced, according to the submission. In a report, planners have been told: “The proposal would represent a high-quality and sustainable form of development that would improve the character and quality of the area and the way in which it functions.”

“The proposal would be appropriate in terms of its scale, subject to conditions, and would have no significant adverse impact upon existing centres.”

The proposals are set to be debated by the borough council’s planning and development control committee tomorrow.

The proposals will be looked at while planners also debate whether to grant approval for a new medical centre in the east of the town, which would serve more than 25,000 patients in that area.

The surgery, earmarked for the former West Villa homeless unit in Woodbridge Road East, will bring together the Lattice Barn and Woodbridge Road centres. A decision is expected to be made on whether to grant planning permission next week.

More than 30 people will be employed at the new unit, which will include a total of 25 consulting rooms and 92 parking spaces.

If you would like to view any of the proposals, please visit www.ipswich.gov.uk