Green light for new homes and five retail units in Lowestoft

A scheme that will see the long-vacant former Beales and Westgate department store in Lowestoft town centre demolished for a new five-storey residential and commercial building has been given the green light.

The vacant former department store in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Plans centring around "demolition of existing vacant commercial building" at 141 London Road North in Lowestoft with "construction of five storey mixed use building comprising of residential dwellings on the upper storeys and commercial on the ground floor" along with "cycle parking, bin storage and amenity space" have been given the go-ahead.

The proposed 3D elevations view of what the former Westgate/Beales department store in Lowestoft could look like. Picture: Panther (VAT) Properties Ltd (Image: Panther (VAT) Properties Ltd)

After a bid for 45 new homes and five new retail units was submitted to East Suffolk Council in May last year, an amended scheme was lodged by Tetrick Planning Limited on behalf of the applicant Panther (VAT) Properties Limited - a property investment company, based in Potters Bar - following discussions council officers.

The proposed 3D elevations view of what the former Westgate/Beales department store in Lowestoft could look like. Picture: Panther (VAT) Properties Ltd (Image: Panther (VAT) Properties Ltd)

Plans were voted on at an extraordinary meeting of East Suffolk Council's planning committee north last Friday, May 24.

The former Beales department store remains empty in Lowestoft, as plans are set to be discussed next week. Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

With planning officers recommending approval of the proposed development subject to the signing of a S106 agreement and numerous conditions, case officer Joe Blackmore described the scheme for "a fairly unremarkable building of its time" as something that "could become a bit of a landmark."

With the proposed building five-storeys in scale - with a recessed 'penthouse' top floor - Lowestoft Town Council and four objectors expressed concerns over a lack of parking and the "dominating" scale of the development.

The proposed front and side elevations. Picture: Panther (VAT) Properties Ltd (Image: Panther (VAT) Properties Ltd)

John Snow, from Tetrick Planning - the applicant's agent, spoke at the meeting and addressed concerns with the development to transform "quite a prominent vacant site."

He said: "From a design standpoint we have sought to provide a contemporary building that will act as a focal point on the high street."

With a scheme to "provide high quality living to future residents," and "a significant improvement on what is there," he added: "Collectively these proposals will provide a significant economic boost to the area and will aid in attracting investment to the area's vibrancy and vitality in the future."

The former Beales department store remains empty in Lowestoft. Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Having remained vacant and unoccupied in Lowestoft town centre for five years, a new lease of life now looks set to be in store for the prominent building - after councillors voted in favour of the scheme. 

Proposals including 45 flats across the upper four storeys - consisting of 18 one bedroom dwellings, 24 two bedroom dwellings and three, three bedroom dwellings - the ground floor comprises five commercial units and 84 cycle storage spaces "were carried."

In proposing approval of the recommendation, Cllr Paul Ashdown said: "Obviously this current building is a bit of an eyesore and I am happy with the extra conditions."

This was seconded by Cllr Paul Ashton.

With councillor Katie Graham voting against the plans "on the grounds of it bearing overbearing", there were seven votes in favour of the scheme and one abstention.