New life could be breathed into a vacant factory site in south Lowestoft.

Lowestoft Journal: The former Zephyr Cams site in Lowestoft.The former Zephyr Cams site in Lowestoft. (Image: (C)archant2015)

Major plans to transform the former Zephyr Cams site in Tower Road with a new retail and leisure development are soon to be submitted to Waveney District Council.

A proposed multi-million pound redevelopment of the site, on one of the main approaches to town, has been in the pipeline for more than a year.

In October last year The Journal reported on how a successful public consultation event was held – with proposals on display at an exhibition run by Metropolitan Properties (Investments) Limited, part of the Freshwater Group.

And a briefing to update councillors on the progression of the scheme was held last month. Here the proposed redevelopment of the former Zephyr Cams building – which falls into the Gisleham parish, but is part of the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate currently owned by the council – was discussed on a 'without prejudice basis,' according to council members, prior to a formal application being made.

Details of their proposals for a new retail development on the former factory site in Tower Road were unveiled – with the potential for the creation of up to 200 jobs for local people and about 150 to 200 construction jobs.

The redevelopment of the site was likely to include the demolition of the large two-storey factory building, with seven retail and leisure units potentially being installed to form an extension to the existing Tower Retail Park. The Range and Aldi have already committed to the development site.

With the site extending to about 4.9 acres (two hectares) an application is likely to be submitted to Waveney in the coming weeks.

For the full story, pick up a copy of this week's Journal.