Issue 157 Newsletter Oct 2004
Contents:
• Editorial
• Our Annual Awards
• Bellway Homes in Ipswich
• Chairman on Current Affairs
• Why, Oh Why 23 Storeys?
• Broomhill Pool Trust
• Recent Planning Matters
• Local Transport Plan
• Two Planning Decisions
• Making a Difference (MAD)
• More Blue Plaques
• SnOasis: Size and Impact
• The People's War
• Sissinghurst Castle Garden
• Heritage Open Days Reviewed
• Kew's Country Garden
• New Members
• Cruise on the Orwell
• Snippets (1)
• Hanging Gardens of Ipswich
• New Roads
• Pubs Then and Now
• A Day at the Races
• Balsham, Ely and Beyond
• Snippets (2)
• Letters to the Editor
• Pub Names (Answers)
• Officers and Events
Broomhill Pool Trust
Ipswich Borough Council has agreed to fund up to £67,000 for a feasibility study for a bid to the
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). This will fund a building survey, an engineering survey, a
professional market research investigation, a business plan and an options appraisal. These are
prerequisites of the HLF to ensure that they do not fund the regeneration of a white elephant for the
Council to bear for years to come. The Broomhill Pool Trust is now a registered charity and is about
to start serious fund raising to support the Council and to show that the ordinary people of Ipswich
are willing to put their money where their mouths are.
Meanwhile we continue in meeting regularly and keeping the Pool in the public eye; we refute
pessimistic reports in the Evening Star. Get in touch with me if you want to join.
Dr MICHAEL COOK
Recent Planning Matters
Here are some of the Society's responses to applications and IBC's decisions where known.
178 London Road: proposed use for non-food retail warehouse with restriction against the
sale of adult fashion clothing
"It is important to remember that out of town shopping centres should sell largely those items that
would be difficult to get on a bus but need a car to carry home. Cheap clothing outlets do not come
into that category in our view and mean one less shop in the middle of town. If the lawyers allow,
we hope you will refuse this application." [IBC has refused permission.]
Depot adjoining 57-59 St Margarets Street: change of use from taxi rank to auction room and
office use
"We welcome this application to return Websters to near their old home. However we are unhappy
with the replacement doors to the St Margarets Street elevation"
St Lawrence Church, Dial Lane: development for IBC for external alterations and
refurbishment of interior to provide new floor, toilets, kitchen, servery..
"The Society welcomes the decision of the Borough Council to move the drop-in centre to the
church. It will be a good use of a building that has so far defeated attempts to utilise it. The detailed
architectural changes will, we assume, be supervised by English Heritage and the Conservation
Officer." [Permission granted]
35 Princes Street: internal alterations to provide new internal wall and installation of new
extract fan
"These proposals, not designed by an architect, would ruin the classical Edwardian interior of the
former Sun Buildings, now the Bank of Scotland. The interior by E T Johns in 1911 is still fine and
the Bank could do much better than 'epoxy coated aluminium panels'. The Society feels strongly
that the application should be refused."
1 Benezet Street: erection of 11 flats in 3 storey building...
"This revised proposal still requires the demolition of No I Benezet Street, an attractive 19th
century house. [Photo below] This house is on the Society's Local List Surely it is possible to design
a suitable residential development around its retention. The Suffolk brick frontages are a part of a
cohesive whole in an improving area..." [IBC refused application. Gone to planning inspectorate
appeal in Bristol. Awaiting outcome.]
67 Westgate Street: retention of replacement shutters and roller shutters
"If the shutters are to be totally solid then they are unacceptable. They are also intended for Lady
Lane. We would like to remind members of the Committee that The Ipswich Society has spent its
own funds over the years to retain the lane as a remnant of the important medieval route it once
was. There is a planning policy that allows only perforated shutters in Conservation Areas and in
most parts of the town. Further it would appear that they have already carried out the works in
which case an enforcement order should be instituted."
The Greyhound, Henley Road: two single storey rear extensions
"The new application is perfectly acceptable ... hopefully Adnams will proceed with the extensions
rapidly." [IBC granted permission.]
11 St Nicholas Street: to allow use as cafe/bar
"The Society is concerned at the number of outlets selling alcohol in this area of the town centre
because the resultant littering and vandalism is detrimental to the street scene. It has been worsened
by several traders, understandably concerned, erecting 'temporary shutters'. There has to be the
straw that would break the camel's back and we think this is the one to be refused. The 'evening
economy' has surely reached its limits and this application for change of use should be
refused." [IBC decision deferred]
121 London Road: part demolition & extensions to form 4 apartments
"These suggestions - they couldn't be called plans - are inadequately illustrated, involve the
unnecessary demolition of part of the house and show no care for the interior. The proposed new
build is grossly out of proportion to the original recently Listed house." [refused by IBC] [Photo
below]
Water tower, reservoir, Park Road: installation of 3 panel antennae and one radio equipment
cabinet
"It was originally agreed that all telecom companies place their apparatus behind the fibreglass
screen. This has not been done and should be insisted upon." [IBC refused application]
The outcome of previous planning applications in July Newsletter:
Neptune Marina, Coprolite Street: IBC refused permission for food take-away.
Neptune Marina car parking: IBC granted permission.
18 Badgers Bank, felling of sweet chestnut tree: IBC refused - Tree Preservation Order made.
Making A Difference (MAD)
The Ipswich Society's contribution to MAD (Making a Difference) in Alexandra Ward, which
includes the town centre, was a 25-page document of suggestions. Set out in table form, street by
street, the survey covered street furniture (with a predominance of redundant traffic signs) fly
posting and graffiti.
Subsequent visits to the surveyed streets highlighted that we had included about a third of the clutter
that could be easily removed, and checking against the index indicated we had only visited half of
the streets! The table below is an example for part of Princes Street.
Making a Difference - Alexandra Ward (Town Centre
• outside Barclays Bank, Princes St: Fly posting on silver box
• outside Giles Tavern, Princes St: Wheelie bins on pavement, permanent feature
• opposite No. 35 Princes St: Fly posting on TV camera post
• outside Willis, Princes St: Fly posting on telephone switch box
• opposite Willis, Princes St Priorities changed sign, established junction
• outside Willis, Princes St: Fly posting on Direction sign
• outside No. 38 Princes St: Redundant posts x2
Our submission has not yet been acknowledged by 113C nor has there been any sign on the ground
of the removal of items from the list.
The Council's remaining programme ward by ward is as follows. In each case an audit will be done
a few weeks before the work begins. These dates are for the actual clean up work which will
continue into next year until June.
Alexandra, Gainsborough and Gipping Wards completed. Rushmere being done.
• Whitton 18 October - 5 November
• Westgate 8 November - 3 December
• Priory Heath 3 January - 21 January
• Stoke Park 17 January - 4 February
• Bixley 31 January - 18 February
• Whitehouse 21 February - 11 March
• St Margaret's 14 March - I April
• Holywells 4 April - 22 April
• Sprites 25 April - 13 May
• St John's 16 May - 3 June
• Castle Hill 6 June -