Plans have been submitted to build 44 flats in a developing area near Ipswich Waterfront.

A planning application was submitted in June to develop an area of unused land between Tye Road and Unity Street, just off Duke Street in Ipswich.

The plans aim to turn the land into 44 residential flats – 16 one-bed and 28 two-bed – as well as amenity space, parking and two small retail kiosks.

Around 15 flats will be designated as affordable housing.

Katherine Seagrief, the agent of the developer from Brocklehurst Architects in High Wycombe, said: “It was identified in the local plan as a site for housing development.

“There is a lot of development all in that area with the Waterfront, so it’s a very good location for housing anyway.

“As part of the scheme there is quite a lot of thought gone into the urban design of it.”

The developers believe the flats will provide a welcome link up between the Waterfront and Holywells Park, and its close proximity to the town centre will make it an attractive prospect for those looking for a flat.

The land is a brownfield site which was originally developed for a school in the 19th century, before being demolished in the early 1900s to become a timber yard, storage depot and iron and gas works.

In recent years it has had a temporary use as a car park, but is currently unused.

The application has been in the consultation phase and is expected to go before planners in August for a decision.

If approved, the developers hope the properties will be open in early 2019.

Ms Seagrief said: “Its location near the town centre is a huge advantage to the site, and it’s a good location for new housing that is close to the existing facilities available.”

She added that the layout of the land meant that housing or bungalows would not have been a viable use for the plot.

The development is not expected to add any significant additional traffic in the area if approved.

The application added: “It has been demonstrated that the scheme will not have an adverse effect on the local area and it will be possible to provide apartments that give residents good quality living space. Amenity space both for residents and the public is provided on the site, contributing positively to the local environment.”