ipswich.gov.uk

Comment

Representation ID: 25259

Received: 30/11/2017

Respondent: Ipswich Archaeological Trust

Archaeological excavation and research since 1974 has shown that Ipswich is one of England's earliest towns but this fact has been little utilised.
The vast amount of information gained through excavations could and should be exploited both for the interest of local people and to attract tourism.
Clearly, there is nothing above ground to see of the Anglo-Saxon town, apart the street system which dates from that period, but there is a vast collection of artefacts from the excavations and a fascinating story to tell. There is still no adequate display of the evidence for the town's origin and development in the town's museum. The Council should consider using the Community Infrastructure Levy to fund public displays and the dissemination of the results.
The connection with the nearby contemporary Royal site at Sutton Hoo should also be exploited. For example, once the full size replica of the Sutton Hoo ship has been built at Woodbridge, it could easily sail to Ipswich waterfront as a tourist attraction and visitors could be better encouraged to visit both locations.
There is also potential to develop some of assets of the later town. In the future, there will inevitably be proposals to develop the site of Wolsey's College, near the waterfront, and this would provide an opportunity to promote the Wolsey connections to the town. Consideration should be given to preserving the remains of the College as an archaeological park or at least marking its outline within any new development. A Wolsey display could be housed in the adjacent St Peter's Church. These proposals could be pursued through specific planning policies for the areas of land within the Wolsey College precinct.