IPSWICH Waterfront could get another major boost after proposals for two developments took a leap forward.Beeston Properties has made a new planning application for the St Peter's Warehouse site – the scene of a fire more than three years ago.

IPSWICH Waterfront could get another major boost after proposals for two developments took a leap forward.

Beeston Properties has made a new planning application for the St Peter's Warehouse site – the scene of a fire more than three years ago.

Persimmon Homes has also formally lodged a new planning application for a new development on the site of the former Ransomes and Rapier works.

Beeston wants to build three new buildings on the St Peter's Warehouse site including a 10-storey block of flats and includes renovating and converting the derelict history lodge at 4 College Street on the corner of the site.

An earlier proposal from the company, which owns the site, for a 12-storey block of flats on the site was outlined two years ago, but although plans were lodged with the borough council, planning permission was formally sought.

"That application never came before the committee, this is a new application from the landowner – although it is not clear whether Beeston would develop the project itself," said Ipswich council head of planning Mike Smith.

"It is substantially different from the earlier application, but we don't know when it might be considered by the development control committee."

Two years ago planning officials had concerns about the size and style of development on such a prominent site.

The new application is not as large in scale – the main building would be 10 storeys rather than 12 – and would, crucially, be less tall than the neighbouring Paul's Maltings.

However the development would create more homes, 62 flats rather than the 51 luxury homes envisaged in 2001.

The application also includes offices, shops, and restaurants.

Persimmon's application is for 227 homes, a hotel, shops and offices.

It goes against the current local planning guidelines for the area, but bosses are hoping to persuade planning officials and councillors to back their plans.

The site has been owned by Persimmon for some time, and at one stage a new marina was proposed for the site.

"Unfortunately that was not practical because of the level of the tide there – so we have submitted this new plan for the site," said Andrew Jay, managing director of Persimmon Essex.

"We are very committed to Ipswich and have been staggered by the interest in the area – we would like to start as soon as possible, but that is in the hands of the planners."

Persimmon is currently developing the former gasworks site on Orwell Quay into a major new development with 350 new homes.