NEW proposals to controversially move Lowestoft's railway station, build more than 1,500 new houses and create 1,000 new jobs by 2025 as part of '14 key objectives' to regenerate the area were set to be discussed last night (Thursday) before going out to public consultation.

NEW proposals to controversially move Lowestoft's railway station, build more than 1,500 new houses and create 1,000 new jobs by 2025 as part of '14 key objectives' to regenerate the area were set to be discussed last night (Thursday) before going out to public consultation.

Members of Waveney District Council's Cabinet were being updated on the progress of the Area Action Plan (AAP) for Lake Lothing and Lowestoft's Outer Harbour - with 'further preferred options' being proposed by Urban Regeneration Company 1st East and Design Planning Consultants Aecom.

With Tom Venables, of Aecom, due to make a presentation at the meeting, the latest options come four years after 1st East produced an Area Action Plan for Lowestoft.

The document received nearly 1,000 responses during a consultation period in January and February 2007 - with many objecting to Lowestoft railway station being moved 400m to the west.

However, since this consultation over three years ago, there have been 'significant changes in the context in which the AAP is to be taken forward,' according to a report to councillors.

And with the publication of the final draft of a new 163-page document 'Lowestoft Lake Lothing & Outer Harbour Area Action Plan Further Preferred Options' - which has been prepared by Waveney District Council and 1st East - a new vision for the town has been unveiled.

Policies on employment and economy, housing, retail, environment, heritage and character, transport, movement and linkages and water, energy and waste are all addressed in the latest blueprint for the future, with seven major areas of Lowestoft under consideration:

PowerPark

Peto Square

Kirkley Waterfront

Brooke Peninsula/Sanyo

East of England Park

Kirkley Rise

Other Sites.

With the AAP described as 'key to bringing about the regeneration of Lowestoft,' the recommendations to last night's cabinet meeting were to 'endorse the policies and strategic sites' set down in this latest AAP for 'six weeks' consultation.

'It is proposed that consultation is undertaken for a six-week period from Friday, April 23 to Friday, June 4 2010, ahead of a proposed submission in July and then possible adoption - after an 'examination hearing' - in July 2011.'