A FURTHER 70 new apartments and 10 commercial units are to be built near Ipswich waterfront if developers get the go-ahead, it emerged today.The multi-story buildings are divided between two new proposed developments seeking planning permission from Ipswich Borough Council.

A FURTHER 70 new apartments and 10 commercial units are to be built near Ipswich waterfront if developers get the go-ahead, it emerged today.

The multi-story buildings are divided between two new proposed developments seeking planning permission from Ipswich Borough Council.

The largest of the two proposals is for the old Kenning's building in Duke Street. Ipswich-based Golding Developments Ltd, hope to transform the half an acre site into shops, offices and around 50 flats.

Speaking from the company's offices at Neptune Quay, managing director Simon Golding said he was delighted to be involved in putting forward the scheme for approval.

He said: "What we are proposing is a scheme in two blocks, one with four storeys and the second block with six storeys. We will have 36 flats for sale and a further 12 flats which will be social housing. They will all have parking spaces. The parking will be hidden and covered with nicely designed communal gardens about the parking area."

Now full planning permission is being sought Mr Golding is hopeful councillors will give the scheme the go-ahead this autumn.

"We are expecting to hear at a planning meeting around October time and would start work sometime in the New Year with building regulation approval.

"We think it is a very exciting area. We are based here so it is a fantastic site for us to get hold of. We see it as the up and coming area within Ipswich."

In addition to Golding's proposed Duke Street development another company, Bermac Properties Plc is applying for full planning permission for another site near the waterfront.

The Chelmsford-based developer hopes to build a multi-storey building with 24 flats and an office/shop unit in Fore Hamlet, along with car parking access off Myrtle Road.

As well as these two proposals the borough council itself is requesting an extension to the existing car park based at Orwell Quay, in Duke Street, to create room for a further 100 cars to park.

Mike Smith head of planning and development for IBC today said the Golding's and Bermac applications were further proof of the popularity of the dockside area.

He said: "It's evidence of the continuing interest in the regeneration of the waterfront and it's the small schemes as well as the big ones that will make the difference to the area."

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