A new 18-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO) looks set to be created in a former day care centre.

Change of use plans to turn a two-storey building near a coastal town centre into an 18-bed HMO has been given the go-ahead.

A new lease of life is earmarked for the former office building that dates back to the 1960s and has been empty for four years.

Previously a community day care centre, a scheme centring around "Change of use to an 18-bed HMO subdivided into five separate units each containing separate kitchen and bathroom facilities" for the property at Crown House in Crown Street West, Lowestoft has been given the green light.

The change of use plans submitted by agents England ATP on behalf of the applicant Daniel Shreeve, for Shreeve Commercial Ltd - which had been lodged with East Suffolk Council in November last year - were "permitted" under delegated powers.

Planning papers submitted by the agents said the property has been empty for four years after its last use as a day care centre for people with disabilities — before that, Crown House was used as an office building.

With proposals to "rejuvenate the existing, closed day centre building", it said: "We believe these HMOs will meet the north Lowestoft area's needs and housing requirements by providing much-needed high-quality, entry-level housing."

A delegated report from the council's case officer said: "The applicant has set out that the HMO is to be operated by a local registered provider, who
provides support for people with a range of needs.

"The council is aware of the need for such forms of accommodation in the area and, therefore, it is deemed as an exceptional circumstance under (planning policy) which is required for conversion of properties to an HMO to be acceptable and approved.

"The proposal is not deemed to result in any adverse impacts to the character and appearance of the area, amenity of neighbouring, or highway safety."

Lowestoft Town Council initially objected to the plans last December, raising concerns of over-development, viability, heritage and parking.

But after meeting to discuss the application again in May, they recommended approval after information was provided that "addressed the committee's previous concerns and there were no material objections" to the scheme.

One objection from a local, citing a "loss of privacy", was raised.