DISUSED historic buildings in the heart of Ipswich could gain a new lease of life if applications to turn them into flats are successful.The Grimwade Memorial Hall in Back Hamlet has long stood in a state of disrepair.

DISUSED historic buildings in the heart of Ipswich could gain a new lease of life if applications to turn them into flats are successful.

The Grimwade Memorial Hall in Back Hamlet has long stood in a state of disrepair. Now developers want to turn the 17th century building in to a complex of 32 luxury apartments.

Built in 1869, the hall stands in a commanding position on the roundabout at the junction of Fore Hamlet and Back Hamlet, in the town's fast-changing riverside area.

The scheme would see the construction of a mixture of studio apartments and one and two-bedroom units.

Another series of historic buildings, in Great Colman Street, have also been earmarked for a flat complex.

Three neighbouring buildings, formerly used as auction rooms, will be converted into 22 flats if the application is successful.

Two of the buildings are warehouse-style buildings, while the other is a 1901 red-brick building. All three have been empty for more than three years.

The future of the buildings will be decided at a meeting of Ipswich Borough Council's planning and development committee on October 8.

Other applications to be decided on include the creation of a snooker hall above the Chicago Rock Café in Northgate Street, and the building of 123 flats on disused military land just off Yarmouth Road.

This scheme would see the construction of a number of four and five-storey blocks of flats on vacant land next to the River Gipping.

N What do you think of this proposal? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk