New housing plans for Lowestoft estate revealed

Victoria NichollsFresh proposals to build on the site of a car sales showroom near Lowestoft have been submitted despite three previous bids being turned down.Victoria Nicholls

Fresh proposals to build on the site of a car sales showroom near Lowestoft have been submitted despite three previous bids being turned down.

The plot at Four Acres in Rushmere Road, Carlton Colville has been a site of interest for developers over the past few years. Until now, the most recent proposal was submitted by Flagship Housing Group to build 14 affordable homes on the site of Carter's car showroom, but was turned down in June 2008.

Planning officers from Waveney District Council said the development would be outside the defined settlement limits for Carlton Colville and parish councillors objected on the grounds that access to the site would be off a blind corner.

The housing group appealed against the decision but in March a government appointed inspector dismissed the appeal, saying that potential problems with flooding and road safety outweighed the benefit of affordable homes.

Now Flagship Housing Group has submitted a new application, seeking permission to demolish the existing showroom, workshop and flat, and build 12 terraced two-storey houses and two semi-detached bungalows.

Waveney District Council's development control committee is expected to make a decision early next year.