Ipswich Waterfront car park at risk of 6-month closure

Ipswich Borough Council has refused Slade Street Car Park's application to discharge conditions - adding that if swift action is not taken then the car park would be out of use for at least six months.

The car sits between Fore Street and Key Street and has been used by customers to visit the Waterfront or the many businesses along the marina.

Applicants Total Car Park and Pick Smart had applied to extend its stay by five years at the site in 2022. 

However, the application was rejected by Ipswich Borough Council - claiming that it would discourage the reuse of the building at 47 Key Street, which was last used by malting business R & W Paul in addition to the silo close-by.

Upon appeal, the application was granted, with conditions on parking and re-use of the site in January 2024. 

Applicants Total Car Park had asked to discharge conditions on parking in April this year - however, the borough council rejected this application in June. 

Officers at the council said that the applicants had not added CCTV, electric vehicle charging points, external lighting, 20 cycle parking spaces, six motorcycle spaces, six disabled parking bays and accessible ticket machines.

They gave the applicants a deadline of Monday, July 15 to complete the work - or the parking site would have to cease operations. 

However, as the deadline approaches the applicants have not yet given the council an update on whether or not the work has been completed. 

They have applied to refurbish the office at 47 Key Street. (Image: Google maps)

On the other condition work is being done, as co-applicant Pick Smart has applied to the council for works on the office on 47 Key Street. 

It wishes to demolish a part of the building that is within the Ipswich Conservation Site and refurbish it as a new office with solar panels on the top. 

The council is still reviewing this application and has not taken a decision on it as of yet.