Regeneration boosted as Lowestoft's Area Action Plan is approved

Lowestoft's AAP sets out a detailed planning policy framework designed to guide development until 2025. It will sit beneath the adopted Core Strategy, which provides specific planning allocations and designations for the Lake Lothing and Outer Harbour area and identifies opportunities for a range of employment, residential, recreational, community, transport and environmental improvements.

The AAP was the subject of consultation in 2010.

Planning applications that are submitted for development within the AAP area will need to demonstrate compliance with the new policy framework in order to be granted approval by the council.

The provision of new homes is an aim of the plan, which states that "supporting the delivery of new housing is central to the vision of making Lowestoft a more attractive place to live".

The AAP advocates the redevelopment of underused land to create "vibrant waterfront communities" and includes for the provision of 1,500 "decent homes" which will encompass different types and tenures to support a range of needs.

The need for the regeneration of brownfield sites has been clearly identified throughout the AAP, which states that "a number of brownfield sites have been identified for residential development".

The AAP aims to "enhance the role for Lowestoft as a retail centre". Provision has been made for the inclusion of about 21,000 square metres of new retail space and associated leisure facilities, including an extension of the Lake Lothing town centre area.

The AAP builds on the policies comprised in the adopted Waveney Core Strategy and the Suffolk and Waveney Sustainable Communities Strategies, which together provide the overarching policy framework for development of the Waveney District.

"The area action plan is a 15-year plan and is deliberately strategic and flexible in nature to ensure that it is deliverable," said Colin Law, Waveney District Council leader. "This endorsement of the plan will now give far greater certainty to landowners and developers and will be part of the considerable current momentum to bring about positive change in the town."