Local residents and those with an interest in the heritage of Ipswich are being given the chance to comment on the restoration plans for the Tolly Cobbold brewery building at an exhibition next week.

Cliff Quay developments are planning to redevelop the site, along with the former Anglo-Norden timber yard, with housing and small scale retail.

The former brewery itself would become a conference centre and a hub for new business start-ups. There could also be a new home for the Ipswich Transport Museum created on the site.

The plans will be on display at the Brewery Tap Pub, next to the brewery building itself, between 1pm and 7pm on January 21.

An outline planning application has been lodged with Ipswich Borough Council, with proposals to turn the site into a building containing a cafe, restaurant, business start-ups, an auditorium, and a conference space, as well as other parts of the site being turned into a health club and 222 residential units.

An earlier proposal to build a medium-sized supermarket on the site was dropped, although there would be one or two smaller retail units as part of the overall redevelopment.

The borough’s planning and development committee is expected to discuss the planning application – which would see key features of the listed brewery building retained – during the spring, but it has already received a widespread welcome.

Last September the 1896-built brewery building was named by the Victorian Society as one of the most valuable historic buildings in Britain that was at risk.

Those visiting the exhibition will be asked for their views on the proposed redevelopment which will be reported to planners during the meeting over the next few months.