This aerial shot of the new Futura Park development on the edge of the town shows the true scale of the site.
The picture taken from a helicopter by Star photographer Su Anderson shows where the John Lewis/Waitrose superstore is located. From above the ground it is possible to see the full size of the development site – the former home of Crane Fluid Systems which was once the largest private-sector employer in the town.
The John Lewis/Waitrose superstore will dominate about a quarter of the site. It is nearing completion and is expected to open its doors in November.
Before it does, the road network in Futura Park needs to be created. A new road will run from the roundabout on Ransomes’ Way to a another roundabout on the heart of the development.
Another access is to be built from that roundabout on to Nacton Road – it is expected this will be included in a bus route serving the development.
Once the John Lewis At Home/Waitrose store is completed, attention is expected to switch to the area just above the new access road in the picture.
A planning application has been lodged for this to be occupied by another retail cluster, including a DFS store, Furniture Village, and other units.
The rest of Futura Park is to be used for businesses and offices – and is expected to be developed over the next five years.
Borough councillor with responsibility for economic development Carole Jones said the success of the development was a great advert for the town.
She said: “It is a time of great economic difficulty for the country but developments like this have been a real bright spot for the town.
“It is good to see how this is all coming along and having the stores open in November will be a real boost for the town in the run-up to Christmas.
“With this development and the construction of the new Premier Inn and Travelodge hotels there are some real bright spots for the town.”
n Is Futura Park good for the town? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here