Plans to redevelop derelict building scrapped

Ipswich Borough Council bought the abandoned silo building in 2018

A major £3.7m town development has been scrapped due to 'no interest', according to a council.

The former Paul’s silo building on the Ipswich Waterfront was earmarked for redevelopment as one of 10 projects using the government’s £25m Towns Fund scheme.

Ipswich Borough Council bought the 55-metre high derelict building in 2018 with potential uses including a climbing wall, adrenalin attractions and a food hall.

During a full council meeting on Wednesday, borough leader Neil Macdonald, announced the Labour-led authority had decided to scrap the plans which £228,061 had already been spent on.

Neil MacDonald informed Ipswich Borough Council the plans had been scrapped during a full council meeting

"It’s very disappointing that a viable solution which meets the agreed objectives and outcomes of the Town's Deal fund can’t be found," he said.

"The intention will absolutely be for it not to become a millstone around the council’s neck."

He also revealed an options appraisal would be put together and new plans for the site would be approved by executive members, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The announcement came after the Academy of Yacht Building project was also cancelled, with close to £1.1m being reallocated as a result.

Reallocating funding from both of these projects would result in just over £4.6m from the Towns Fund being freed up.

Papers from the Town Deal Vision Board meeting dated last Friday also stated the closure of the Paul's silo project puts at risk the redevelopment of the St Peter's Dock area.