Ravenswood, Ipswich

Ravenswood is a new district within Ipswich, Suffolk, UK. It is sited on the old Ipswich Airport to the south-east of the town. It is easily accessible from the junction 57 of the A14 (Nacton and South East Ipswich via the A1189).

The area is expanding rapidly, with the main residential developer being Bellway Homes, with Persimmon building some of the later phases around Fen Bight Circle. Bellway have worked closely with Ipswich Borough Council, who used to own the land, to create a modern development that mixes apartments, small houses and larger family homes within the same style. The road layout is a mix of traditional and modern, with twisting roads interspersed with small greens or children’s play areas. There is also a pair of tree-lined boulevards. To the north, close to the old terminal building, is a village cricket pitch. Surrounding this is an impressive terrace of town houses built in a crescent, no doubt reminiscent of Belgravia or Bath. In total, 1,250 houses and apartments are likely to be built [cite web|url=http://online.ipswich.gov.uk/ppc/application.aspx?iAppID=07/00765/OUT&sType=APP|title=Planning Permission Application 07/00765/OUT|accessdate=2008-01-07|date=28th August 2007] with an affordable housing ratio of 30%fact|date=January 2008.

Environment

The development has tried to be environmentally sensitive. A frequent bus service links to the town centre. Space for cars has been limited, with speed bumps and other traffic calming measures liberally deployed. Mixed cycle paths and walkways are also a feature. Incorporated into the design of the buildings and sewers is a sustainable urban drainage system which allows rainfall to be returned to the environment without going through the sewerage system. Plans are in extremely early stages for the construction of a large wind turbine on Ravenswood. [cite news|url=http://www.ip-city.com/2005/03/21/Ravenswood-earmarked-for-wind-turbine.htm|title=Ravenswood earmarked for wind turbine|publisher=Evening Star|date=2005-03-21|accessdate=2007-03-13dead link|url=http://www.ip-city.com/2005/03/21/Ravenswood-earmarked-for-wind-turbine.htm|date=July 2008] [cite news|url=http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/eveningstar/news/story.aspx?brand=ESTOnline&category=news&tBrand=ESTOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=IPED04%20Jul%202008%2015%3A58%3A49%3A507|title=Wind giants coming to town|date=5 July 2008|publisher=The Evening Star] It is suggested that it would generate enough power to serve the entire development.

A number of pieces of street art have been installed or commissioned: "Formation" by Rick Kirby at the entrance, "Handstanding" by Martin Heron near the school and "Green Wind 2" by Diane Maclean as a focal point beyond the end of Downham Boulevard on the Tump. A new sculpture, "Propeller" by Harry Gray has been placed adjacent to the green. [cite web|url=http://www.ravenswood-residents.org.uk/art/|title=Public Art for Ravenswood|accessdate=2007-03-04]

Facilities

Facilities at Ravenswood are almost completed. A centrally-located primary school (Ravenswood Community Primary School) [http://www.ravenswood.suffolk.sch.uk] has been built, with a well-equipped sports centre close by. [http://www.ibcsport.co.uk/gainsborough.html] To the south is a new NHS independent care centre, called Bluebird Lodge. There is a retirement home named after Jamie Cann, the Member of Parliament for Ipswich who died in 2001.

Behind the terminal building, which has been converted into apartments, a small district shopping centre has been built which includes a pharmacy, bookmakers, a fish and chip shop, a Chinese take-away and a Subway, along with two larger retail outlets: a Co-Op food store, and a Lidl. An NHS doctors’ surgery, Ravenswood Medical Practice [http://www.ravenswoodmedicalpractice.co.uk/] , is situated next to the pharmacy. The old squash courts are to be the new community centre, and a children’s Nursery is also to be built. There is also a McDonalds drive-through at the main entrance to Ravenswood, which opened in September 2006.

A pub/restaurant run by Marston's Inns and Taverns opened 1 November 2007.

This area of Ravenswood is being developed by Ashwell Property Group.

Within easy walking distance of Ravenswood is Orwell Country Park, the Orwell Bridge (built from 1979 to 1982), touring and static caravan parks, a Scouting and Girl Guides camp site, and a 9 hole pay and play golf course.

ee also

*The Perfect Home
*Gainsborough estate

References

External links

* [http://www.ravenswood-residents.org.uk/ Ravenswood Residents’ Association]