Long serving offices in a coastal town could soon be converted into student accommodation - provided plans are given the green light.

A scheme that could see a new nine-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO) created at a two-and-a-half storey mid-terrace property in Lowestoft has been lodged.

Plans have been submitted to East Suffolk Council for an office site on Battery Green Road.

A scheme centring around: "Change of use from offices to Sui Generis to allow for a nine bed HMO" with "No significant external changes" being made as part of the proposed works, are "awaiting decision" with the council.

Plans lodged by agents True Blue Architecture Ltd for applicant Mr Daniel Shreeve, on behalf of Shreeve Property Ltd, have been proposed for the offices at 5 Battery Green Road, Lowestoft, which are not vacant and "currently in use as offices."

A design and access statement said the property - which has an internal area of about 175sqm - is "no longer fit to be a family home" as it is "too large."

As the property is "both over 160sqm and has five or more bedrooms" it lacks "a rear garden" meaning it "does not meet the modern day requirements for a large family home."

It adds: "The applicant is applying to convert the property into student accommodation due to the increased demand in the area.

"Due to the high demand we believe that student accommodation should be classed as an exceptional circumstance for a conversion to an HMO."

With the property described as "an expansive mid terrace property," it adds: "The house itself has five bedrooms that are currently in use as offices, as well as two lounge areas and a dining area, all of which have been knocked through to form an open plan office layout, but can be easily converted to form new bedrooms/communal areas."

A decision is likely to be made by the council in the coming weeks.