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 A1189 junction of the A14.

The area is expanding rapidly, with the main residential developer being Bellway Homes [1]. 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 tree-lined boulevard, with another to follow. To the north, close to the old terminal building, will be a village cricket pitch and a pond. Surrounding this is an impressive terrace of town houses built in a crescent, no doubt reminiscent of Belgravia or Bath. In total, 1,200 houses and appartments are likely to be built.

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. It is suggested that it would generate enough power to serve the entire development.

Facilities at Ravenswood are currently few, but are improving. A centrally-located primary school (Ravenswood Community Primary School) has been built, with a well-equipped sports centre close by. To the south is a new NHS independent care centre. There is a retirement home named after Jamie Cann, the Member of Parliament for Ipswich who died in 2001. Behind the terminal building, which is to be converted into apartments, a number of small shops are planned, along with two larger retail outlets: a Co-Op; and a discount food store. A community centre, a children’s day centre and a doctors’ surgery are also to be built. More controversially, at least with the Residents’ Association [2], are the plans for a fast food restaurant at the main entrance to Ravenswood, for which planning permission has been granted. Planning permission for a pub has also been granted (again, not favoured by all), but the developers for this part of the site, Ashwell Property Group [3], claim not to be able to find a tenant or buyer: they propose another block of apartments instead which some have compared an aircraft hangar! Following (negative) feedback from the residents, Ashwell have altered their plans: the fast-food restaurant will not be built, and the pub will be further from the residential areas; the appartments have also been redesigned, and now resemble a control tower. Construction is due to start around May 2005, and will take around 12 months.

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