PROPOSALS for an impressive eight-storey block of flats for around 180 students are to go before town chiefs tomorrow.The building, which would be built off Duke Street in Ipswich, near the Waterfront's Orwell Quay development, has been earmarked to help meet student housing needs in the town.
PROPOSALS for an impressive eight-storey block of flats for around 180 students are to go before town chiefs tomorrow.
The building, which would be built off Duke Street in Ipswich, near the Waterfront's Orwell Quay development, has been earmarked to help meet student housing needs in the town.
Estimates suggest housing for around 2,750 students will be needed by 2015 as the town's university expands.
Jeremy Hancock, agent for developers Magelan Ltd, said that even though the university owns a lot of land near the Waterfront it will need help from the private sector to meet demand.
He said a bar earmarked for the ground floor would measure 3,000 sq ft with a capacity for 200-300 people and could potentially be a venue for the university's student union.
“Even though the university has got quite a lot of land it is going to be short of space,” he said.
As well as a bar, the building will also contain office space and room for shops.
Mr Hancock said: “We have to be cautious, until we get planning permission we can't really start to unravel all the prospective interests.”
The success of the application is likely to rest on a flood risk assessment carried out by the Environment Agency.
The organisation has flagged up concerns about the flooding risk and has lodged a “holding objection” with planners while further investigations take place.
Ipswich Borough Council's planning department has recommended that the development should be given the green light if the Environment Agency's objection is dropped.
The site is currently occupied by the Premier Pool club.
Will an influx of students boost the Ipswich economy? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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