There was a surprising number of planning applications before the Corona virus lockdown, indicating what was likely to become a healthy summer for the construction industry. Those of significance are outlined below.

The Burlington Road Conservation Area has been extended to include parts of Dalton, London, Stevenson Roads and of Clarkson, Benezet and Granville Streets. The Conservation Area appraisal and management plan has been rewritten to Historic England standards.

Ipswich Community Church, Clarkson Street. The proposed miniature walls and cast iron spike topped railings are a well worked out solution to reduce the anti-social abuse the church continually suffers and will help to improve the streetscape of the new Conservation Area.

The New Wolsey Theatre plan to add a balcony to the south west corner of the building, this will be a useful revenue-earning addition overlooking the new public space (Theatre Square).

The Unitarian Meeting House is currently undergoing a major historic building restoration and there is a plan to discreetly install a WC (the first in the 320 year old building).

33 Knightsdale Road, the Plymouth Brethren are seeking retrospective permission to continue using part of Felgains premises as a private supermarket. This is unlikely to have any impact on the local community and we have no objection.

Former Odeon Cinema, Major’s Corner. The Hope Church, who are converting the cinema for their own use are proposing to make minor, almost insignificant changes to a rear fire escape.

149 Norwich Road. This building is part of the classical and significant Georgian Albert Terrace, built circa 1840.  No 149 is in the middle of the terrace and looks quite original.  The proposal is to convert to a six bedsit HMO, with a communal kitchen, lounge and dining room, two bathrooms and three toilets, the exterior will not be changed.

16 Fonnereau Road. Replacement of twelve original single-glazed rotting window frames in the belvedere (tower) with similar preservative impregnated softwood frames. The belvedere at number 16 was, when built in 1850, the highest structure in Ipswich. Replacing these arch topped windows is a significant investment in this substantial property.

Aaron House, Finchley Road. Permission was granted to build six terraced houses to an uninteresting pastiche design; remarkably, they now request to change the facades to a much more acceptable modern and exciting design for the two terraces, each of three houses with three bedrooms.

Crown and Anchor Mews car park. There is a proposal to fell a significant group of town centre trees, those just inside the boundary wall alongside Providence Street. We see no justification for the proposal and will object.

Extension to Gainsborough Library. The 2008 library, designed by Pick Everard, was a Society award winner and has been one of the few public buildings in Ipswich of the noughties of architectural note. The application is poorly drawn and as far as one can tell it is an inadequately designed addition to a good building. We will recommend refusal.      

Mike Cook

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