Plans unveiled for fire damaged Lowestoft flats and businesses

A scheme has been lodged that could see a fire damaged "commercial and residential property" restored - provided plans get the go-ahead.

The scene of the blaze on Lowestoft High Street back in June. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The blaze gutted seven flats above businesses on the historic High Street in Lowestoft in June last year - leaving occupants homeless and forcing traders beneath to close.

The aftermath of the blaze that tore through flats off Lowestoft's High Street. Picture: Bruno Brown (Image: Bruno Brown)

The fire started in one of the flats above Vin-Tro and High Street Furnishings shops at 144 High Street in Lowestoft on June 3, with 13 fire crews spending two-and-a-half hours tackling the flames at the height of the blaze.

The scene of the blaze on Lowestoft High Street back in June. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Two people were rescued from the roof of the building, however investigations into the blaze and a possible arson probe were closed as Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the fire was "undetermined" and police said there was "no clear evidence of arson" behind the blaze.

The scene of the blaze on the approach to Lowestoft High Street back in June. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Last October, the owners of one of the shops affected - High Street Furnishings - said they would be reopening in November after they "lost everything in the fire".

Chris and Sarah O'Dwyer, owners of High Street Furnishings in Lowestoft. Picture: The O'Dwyer family/Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Now, plans submitted to East Suffolk Council - centring around "reinstatement of fire damaged commercial and residential property, two storey Victorian building with double shop front and six self-contained flats at first floor and second floor within roof space levels at 144 and 145 High Street, Lowestoft" are "awaiting decision".

'Directly impacted'

A design and access statement lodged with East Suffolk by Studio C Architects Ltd on behalf of the applicant East Suffolk Properties - the property owners of 144 and 145 High Street, Lowestoft - states: "The property was directly impacted by the domestic flat fire incident that quickly spread through the roof of the building from the host first floor flat at the rear of 144."

Scaffolding installed on Lowestoft High Street following the major blaze. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With permission sought "to undertake remedial building works to reinstate this High Street commercial and residential property on a close like for like basis" following the blaze that caused "significant fabric and structural damage to the building as a whole". 

It adds: "The demolition and clearance work of the roof and internal damaged building fabric and building contents was finally completed across all floor levels on January 19, 2024.

The proposed reinstatement elevations - front and side elevations - for 144 and 145 High Street, Lowestoft. Picture: Studio C Architects Ltd (Image: Studio C Architects Ltd)

"The proposal is to construct a new roof of similar design and form to that lost to the fire and reinstate the living accommodation at first floor level and within the second floor roof space at the front of the building.

The proposed reinstatement elevations - rear and side elevations - for 144 and 145 High Street, Lowestoft. Picture: Studio C Architects Ltd (Image: Studio C Architects Ltd)

"The application does not propose any major changes to the scale, mass or design of the building."

With a decision likely to be made by East Suffolk Council in the coming weeks, Lowestoft Town Council's planning committee considered the application at a meeting on March 28 and agreed to "recommend approval" subject to "any conditions relevant to the Conservation Area being adhered to".