Ipswich Borough Council is set to step in to kick-start the redevelopment of the Waterfront and turn an eyesore into an attractive gateway to the area.
The Council wants to buy two key sites at the Stoke Bridge end of the Waterfront – the derelict silo and adjacent rough car parking area – and use them to improve public access to the Waterfront and to build new private housing.
Council Leader David Ellesmere said: “Clearly, this is early days but we are looking to start negotiations with the owners of these sites with a view to buying them in the near future. However, we should be prepared to exercise our compulsory purchase powers to get things moving if those negotiations fail.”
Councillor Ellesmere said the Council has been waiting to see if private developers would take the lead but no progress had been made. “Now is the time to act to turn an eyesore into an attractive gateway to the Waterfront.”
Both sites have been on the market for some time without any commercial interest. It would not be the intention to build council housing on the site – it is likely to be apartments for private sale or rent.
The Council would also launch a design competition to ensure that this key entrance to the Waterfront is something all Ipswich can be proud of.
The decision on whether to purchase the sites will be taken by the Council’s ruling Executive Committee next month.
