New flats planned for vacant town centre site
The view from the corner of Alexandra Road and St. Peters Street in Lowestoft towards the former tool hire centre site, which is being proposed for a new development. Picture: Google Images - Credit: Archant
More than 30 new flats could be built on a vacant site in Lowestoft, provided plans get the go-ahead.
The proposed residential development centres around the demolition of existing commercial buildings on land previously used by a tool hire centre business.
Plans have been lodged with East Suffolk Council for the "proposed construction of 31, one bedroom flats over three/four storeys with under-croft parking and associated works" on "unallocated land" on Alexandra Road, Lowestoft.
An application from Wellington Construction Ltd has been submitted to the council and is currently awaiting decision.
They intend to develop the scheme for Orwell Housing Association to "provide for general needs affordable rented accommodation," according to the design and access statement.
The proposed scheme of 31 new properties at the former JD Power Tools hire centre is "for a development of 100 per cent affordable housing with guaranteed tenure."
With the site measuring around 0.13 hectares (0.32 acres), it states: "The development of the scheme itself and the influx of residents into the area will create an economic boost for the parish.
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"The shape of the site has had a huge impact on the design of the building that is totally bespoke to this development."
With the current site accessible from three access points, the proposed scheme intends to "re-use the current position of the main access from Alexandra Road" as the only access to the new scheme.
It states: "The new access will be via a drive through entrance into the central courtyard that will serve the proposed under-croft parking.
"The two existing buildings were used as a starting point in deciding the main outline of the proposal and there outline and orientation formed the basis of the new building's beginnings.
"The existing access point on Alexandra Road was thought to be the safest and most convenient point to access the proposed new building and this has been maintained."
In conclusion, the applicant says that the design and access statement "shows that the proposal would provide a sustainable development with minimal
impact on the infrastructure of the area, whilst enabling the vibrancy and future growth of the town."
