Restoration of former Lowestoft hotel into flats for homeless

A scheme to create 14 "high-quality" one and two-bedroom flats in Lowestoft's former Belle Vue Hotel has been given the go-ahead.

Plans for the currently unoccupied three storey site at 89 Royal Avenue in Lowestoft have been given the green light.

A scheme, lodged by agents Chaplin Farrant Ltd on behalf of the applicant East Suffolk Council, was submitted in July for the building now known as Avenue Mansions.

The former Belle Vue Hotel - now Avenue Mansions - in Lowestoft, from around 1910. Picture: East Suffolk Council (Image: East Suffolk Council)

It was constructed at the turn of the last century and partially reconstructed after bomb damage during the war to be used as sheltered accommodation from the 1970s until it closed in 2019.

East Suffolk Council brought the empty property back into use in 2020 to accommodate those in need during the coronavirus crisis.

Back in 2020 - the empty council property at Avenue Mansions on Royal Avenue in Lowestoft that was transformed to accommodate vulnerable people. Picture: East Suffolk Council (Image: Archant)

With council officers recommending the plans be approved, it is now set to be used for short term occupancy after the scheme was voted on at a meeting of East Suffolk's planning committee north.

Described by the council's planning case officer Katherine Rawlins as a "very prominent building" within the North Lowestoft Conservation Area, councillors heard from the applicant's agent Mark Nolan, who said: "The intention is that the temporary accommodation would be used for people between six months and a year.

Refurbishment of Avenue Mansions in Lowestoft - pictured here in July - to create 14 flats as temporary homeless accommodation has been given the go-ahead. Picture: East Suffolk Council (Image: East Suffolk Council)

"Generally speaking most of the residents will be there for a minimum of six months.

In proposing approval of the recommendation with conditions, Cllr Peter Byatt said: "It is our asset and I think that it is a really, really important part of our housing assets as well." 

This was seconded by Cllr Andree Gee who added: "I think it's an excellent scheme that is very much needed and a wonderful restoration of a very fine building."

After votes were cast all councillors voted unanimously in favour of the plans as this was carried.

Council chair Sarah Plummer said: "We look forward to seeing it in its full glory."