Population

The need to reduce inequality and social exclusion

Ipswich scores worse than the Suffolk average against every indicator the 'Index of Multiple Deprivation Score' except, barriers to housing and services. 

One in five children in Ipswich lives in poverty.

High comparative  level of teenage pregnancy

Impact of changing demographics and migration trends

The Borough, compared to the rest of the county has a higher number of children, a higher population of working age because of the availability of job opportunities.

Although there is an aging population, there is a trend to retire out to rural areas.

Ipswich expects to see more births than deaths across the decade, 2014-2024.

Housing

The need to ensure the delivery of a sustainable supply of housing

Limited land availability and large areas of protected land.

Over the last two years house sales have fallen by 50% in Ipswich.

Ensuring the delivery of  mix of housing types and tenures (including affordable housing)

Low comparative level of owner occupiers with no mortgage, higher socially rented stock and higher private rental sector.

Ipswich has the lowest house price to income ratio in the IHMA.  Homes cost on average 6.44 times average income.  However prices have risen significantly in the last few years and Ipswich has the highest affordable housing need.

Need to deliver a more diverse range of housing types.

The impact of a changing population on housing supply. Increased demand for specialist housing including student accommodation.

Health and Wellbeing

The need to ensure the delivery of health and social care provision in line with growth

Population is younger than the county, regional and national averages.

Requirement to retain and improve existing community health facilities and services and ensure the timely delivery of new facilities to meet needs arising from new development

The need to address health inequalities and public health

Gypsies and Travellers experience some of the worst health in all BME groups.

Ipswich has proportionally more 0-5 year olds than other districts

Promoting healthy lifestyles

Ipswich has the lowest levels of physical activity in the region

Crime rates and anti-social behaviour

Ipswich had the highest number of criminal offences committed in 2013 in the IHMA.

Addressing fear of crime.

Education

The need to ensure the delivery of education provision in line with growth

Insufficient primary and secondary capacity in some areas of the Borough.

The need to ensure appropriate skills to match future employment needs

Overall in comparison with the rest of the region and Britain, Ipswich had lower levels of qualified people at all levels in 2015.

Water

Managing water resources and water quality

There are a number of Groundwater Source Protection Zones in Ipswich.

High number of existing groundwater and surface water Nitrate Vulnerable Zones.

The timely provision of new water services infrastructure in line with growth

The timely provision of new water services infrastructure in line with growth

Air

Improving air quality

Congestion at various locations in the town centre and associated air quality issues

There are currently four Air Quality Management Areas in Ipswich

The requirement for clean vehicle infrastructure to encourage uptake of technologies

The requirement for clean vehicle infrastructure to encourage uptake of technologies

Material Assets (including soil and waste)

The need to maintain and/or enhance soil quality

The need to remediate contaminated sites and avoid contamination.

Very little high quality agricultural land remaining.

The need to manage waste arisings in accordance with the waste hierarchy

The need to manage waste arisings in accordance with the waste hierarchy

The need to encourage development on previously developed land and/or make use of existing buildings and infrastructure

The average percentage of housing built on previously developed land in Ipswich from 2001/02 to 2013/14 was 92.9%.

The need to protect and enhance sites designated for their geological interest

The need to protect and enhance sites designated for their geological interest

Climatic Change

The need to ensure that the built environment adapts to the impact of climate change and extreme weather events

The need to increase renewable energy provision and deliver carbon neutral development.

The need to ensure sustainable construction techniques and green infrastructure are employed to mitigate climate change and address fuel poverty.

The need to address pluvial, fluvial and coastal flood risk

Ipswich has a Flood Defence Management Strategy including a tidal surge barrier which will be completed this year.

The Coast and Estuaries

The need to manage pressure on protected sites

Large areas protected for species and habitat value which come under pressure from increased recreational and tourist activity

Biodiversity

The need to conserve and enhance biodiversity (including sites designated for the their nature conservation value)

Numerous protected species, habitats and sites across the borough and pressures on climate biodiversity arising from climate change and urban development.

Need to extend and enhance the green infrastructure network across the whole IHMA.

The need to halt biodiversity net loss

High biodiversity value.

Cultural Heritage

Maintaining and enhancing designated and non-designated heritage and cultural assets

High number of heritage assets.

Landscape

The need to ensure the protection and enhancement of local distinctiveness and character

Managing development while protecting significant areas of environmental protection.

Delivering high quality design that respects local character.

The need to manage pressure from new development on the AONB

Some AONB areas in Ipswich.

Economy

The need to support and maintain a sustainable local economy

Competition for land from housing.

Full-time female workers earn a third less than full-time male workers in Ipswich.

Promoting growth in key employment sectors.

Enhancing town and service centres and their role

Changing nature of the high street, local and district centres and changing shopping habits.

Transport and connectivity

Reducing the need to travel

Co-location of services.

Encouraging the use of sustainable transport modes

Improving the walking and cycling environment, lack of integrated public transport and relatively cheap car parking.

Provision of adequate public transport infrastructure

Digital Infrastructure

The need to realise opportunities for social inclusion through the provision of improved online services

Access to fast broadband and wifi across the town.

Unreliable mobile phone coverage in some areas.

The need to support the growth of the digital economy

Access to fast broadband and wifi across the town.