New flats bid at former bank site in Lowestoft town centre

A scheme to convert the upper floors of a retail unit in Lowestoft to provide three apartments has been submitted.

Plans centring around "Conversion and extension on first, second and third floors to provide three residential apartments" at 106 London Road North have been lodged with East Suffolk Council.

The site in London Road North in Lowestoft. Picture: Studio Drake Ltd (Image: Studio Drake Ltd)

A design and access statement prepared by agents Studio Drake Ltd on behalf of the applicant Neil Tagg states the application is for "the refurbishment and addition of two floors to provide three additional flats" to 106 London Road North in Lowestoft.

It adds: "The proposal is three storeys tall.

"There is a need for our high streets to diversify to meet the housing needs of the growing population.

"The existing building is structurally sound, two storeys tall, but requires extensive refurbishment as part of the proposed works.

"The site is presently used as a phone store to the ground floor and the first floor is presently unused."

With the site "formerly used as a bank," and believed "to have been constructed in the early 20th Century," it adds: "The first floor has had minimal commercial viability due to the available storage provision to the ground floor and has therefore been unoccupied for a number of years.

"The ground floor retail use is proposed to remain unchanged.

"Keen to create a design which sits harmoniously within the high street of Lowestoft and drawing upon the positive design elements of the local vernacular."

Lowestoft Town Council's planning committee considered the application at a meeting last week, and recommended approval.

With the proposals currently "awaiting decision", East Suffolk Council are likely to make a final decision in the coming weeks.