386 affordable homes planned on site of lost medieval church

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Development

Genesis Housing Association (GHA) will build 386 affordable and extra care homes after an archaeological excavation has finished on Ipswich's docklands area.

After the 14-week dig by Oxford Archaeology - which is searching for a lost medieval church - is finished, GHA's £15 million project will begin.

The mass build is phase one of a wider £35 million regeneration of the docklands, which will be carried out by construction company ISG.

A viewing platform is to be erected overlooking the excavation so visiting groups can view the dig’s progress. ISG will take possession of the site in October, with the building work scheduled for completion in 2014.

The mixed-tenure scheme features 25 terraced townhouses and three blocks of flats, including extra-care supported accommodation. There will also be an underground car parking area which will double as a flood defence measure.

ISG’s Phillip Allerton, managing director - East, commented: “The award of the first phase of this major East Anglian regeneration project recognises our ability to deliver technically complex and high capital value schemes.

"The investment by Genesis in an underused area of Ipswich will undoubtedly act as the catalyst for further development in the locality, whilst bringing much needed accommodation and high specification commercial units to the town.”