Site next to John Lewis and Waitrose at Futura Park could get 19 new commercial units

The land off Crane Boulevard and James Bennett Avenue in Ipswich has been developed in phases over a number of years, which has included a retail park featuring Waitrose and John Lewis, as well as a series of car dealerships.

Now, a planning application has been submitted by Chancerygate Ltd for the final stretch of land between the Waitrose and the railway line next to Felixstowe Road.

It proposes to build 19 industrial units for commercial use, which are being built on a speculative basis to then be sold or let to the market.

A planning statement put together by Savills on behalf of the applicant, said: “A number of benefits will result from the development including the creation of high quality, flexible use, modern industrial units, which will provide new employment opportunities in a sustainable location; and which will result in the reuse of brownfield land within an existing employment area.”

The design statement added that the units would be of varying sizes to suit different business requirements, in particular supporting small firms and start-ups.

The land had already been designated as a site for employment use.

The site does not need any new access roads, as the area will be served by the existing Crane Boulevard and James Bennett Avenue, according to the proposals.

The designs have been put together to allow trucks to manoeuvre.

A transport assessment said that traffic flows during peak morning and evening periods at the key junctions such as Nacton Road were operating within capacity.

Members of the public are currently able to share their comments as part of the consultation period, with the plans likely to go before Ipswich Borough Council’s planning committee from early December.

Outline planning permission was granted in 2011 for the while of the former Crane site buildings to be demolished, with the site being allowed for redevelopment as retail and employment use.