Plans have been submitted to build 85 homes on an industrial estate near Cliff Quay in Ipswich, which if approved could pave the way for more development in the area.
An outline planning application was submitted by Lawson Planning Partnership on behalf of landowner Cheltenham Developments (Top Site) Ltd to develop an unused site known as ‘top site’ off Sandy Hill Lane, located between the River Orwell and Landseer Road.
But despite the area being designated for business use and being among other businesses on an industrial estate, the outline application proposes to transform the unused land to housing.
A statement from LPP with the application said: “The site comprises previously developed land which despite benefitting from an extant retail consent, has been fertiliser plant on the site was demolished.
“The site is in clear need of redevelopment.”
The land has not been used since the 1980s when a fertiliser plant previously on the site was demolished.
The application report said that “the site being located in an area of low demand for employment use has resulted in the site not coming forward for its safeguarded use to date,” and added: “Providing residential development on the site therefore provides an important opportunity to bring the site back into beneficial use as part of a viable development scheme.
“Overall, the site is sustainably located and a residential scheme is consistent with relevant national and local planning policy objectives aimed at increasing the supply of housing and releasing unused employment sites.”
However, while unused land designated for other uses may become available for housing, the proximity to industrial firms such as Southern Cement and the grain terminal provide significant constraints to proposals.
Among those are the noise and odour impacts, as well as potential pollution or air quality concerns from the port and traffic impact in the area.
An odour test carried out by the landowners described the effects as “negligible” while its noise assessment said that sound was “not at a level that would prevent the use of the site for residential development”.
The matter is expected to go before Ipswich Borough Council’s planning committee from October, but if approved could pave the way for more further development.
A spokesman from LPP declined to comment.
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