Plans are underway to fill two empty stores at one of Ipswich’s key retail parks – but mystery still surrounds who the occupants may be.
A planning application has been submitted to Ipswich Borough Council requesting permission to remove and replace the mezzanine floors inside two units, and make alterations to the front and back.
The plans have been lodged by St James Place Property Unit Trust for the Dunelm unit and former Brantano store which has remained empty since the firm’s closure.
Dunelm announced in January last year that it would be heading to Anglia Retail Park instead.
Despite the plans being submitted, no confirmation of which stores may be filling the two units has been given.
A spokeswoman for the developers was approached for comment but declined.
A planning statement by agents Montagu Evans as part of the application said that the proposed changes would not result in additional floorspace, but reconfigured to make it more appropriate.
No request for a change of use from retail space has been requested.
The site is considered a potential floodzone by the Environment Agency, but the applicant’s assessment said there were not any flood related planning issues.
The application added: “We conclude that there will be no adverse impact upon the risk of flooding at the application site or within the wider locality as a direct result of the development
“Furthermore, there will be no increase in risk of damage to existing buildings at the site or risk to customers visiting the site.
“Accordingly, we conclude that the development is suitable for the application site and accords with both local and national planning policy.”
The plans are currently open to public consultation, which will then go to planners before a recommendation.
It is expected to go before planners from mid-October onwards.
A date on when work may begin or how many jobs the development may create if approved have not been given.
It is hoped the application will give a fresh boost to the retail park which already contains The Range, Argos, Halfords and Next.
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