Exciting new plans for the redevelopment of Ipswich’s Cornhill were unveiled today.
The project is led by the Borough Council with its partners from the Ipswich Vision Group, and the message is clear: “We have listened to the public and our designs reflect what we’ve been told.”
The new plans were drawn up after a widespread consultation last year showed that a majority of people and businesses wanted to see Ipswich’s town centre square improved.
However, some details were met with opposition, including the proposed levelling of the Cornhill by use of a large ramp and a “tower”. These have now been dropped in favour of a more traditional design, incorporating a contemporary sculpture and water feature.
Ipswich Borough Council Leader David Ellesmere hailed the new-look plans, which will now go before planners in the spring for approval. If the go-ahead is given, the tendering process will follow and then construction work will start next January, with completion due before Christmas 2018.
Councillor Ellesmere said: “These new designs reflect what the people of Ipswich and conservation groups have told us but they still remain exciting and bold. Our architects, Hall McKnight, have managed the difficult task of retaining the wow factor while meeting public concerns about some of the details. This is going to give us a Cornhill we can all be proud of.”
Further consultation will take place through the planning process. An application has been made and will be registered next week.
The project is being funded by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council.
