Lock Keeper’s Cottages and Harbour Master’s House to be protected during Ipswich Wet Dock Crossing construction project

Harbour Masters House in Ipswich. Picture: Barry and Genesis Eveleigh Archant

Two historic buildings which formerly served Ipswich docks will not be lost, its owners have promised, after they were included in the Buildings at Risk register.

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Lock Keepers Cottages in Ipswich. Picture: Barry and Genesis Eveleigh Lock Keepers Cottages in Ipswich. Picture: Barry and Genesis Eveleigh

Lock Keeper’s Cottages and Harbour Master’s House, at Island Site, have been included in SAVE British Heritage’s Great Expectations; Buildings at Risk catalogue.

Both sets of buildings were on land reclaimed by the tidal basin, in around 1842, to help manage marina traffic. They have both been recognised as buildings of special local architectural and historic interest within the wet dock conservation area, and owners Associated British Ports (ABP) has said that the buildings will be incorporated into plans for a new wet dock.

Andrew Harston, ABP director at the Port of Ipswich, said: “We recognise the historical and architectural importance of these buildings, which form part of the heritage of the Port of Ipswich. We will be looking to incorporate them into our plans for the future of this site.

“The island site is linked with the recently approved proposal for a bridge linking the east and west banks of the River Orwell, the wet dock crossing and forms a significant part of the regeneration ambition associated with this project.

“Now funding for the crossing has been secured, ABP will be developing a masterplan for the site, including these buildings.”

Stuart Grimwade, director of the Ipswich Maritime Trust, said: “The trust regards them as very important buildings in the context of the wet dock and it will be most important that they are retained.

“We hope that new uses can be found for them.”