A scheme to transform a largely redundant brownfield site with a drive-through coffee shop, restaurant and homes has been given the go-ahead.
Plans to demolish a former car dealership and petrol station at a site in south Lowestoft and create a 'mixed-use development for retail and residential' was given the green light at a meeting last month.
Waveney District Council's planning committee approved the plans at its meeting on January 17.
The scheme will transform a 'prominent site' at the junction of Kirkley Rise and Mill Road with the existing buildings on 1.61 acres (0.65ha) of land set to become a new restaurant – potentially Frankie and Benny's – a new drive-through coffee shop – potentially a Starbucks – and 21 apartments, with car parking underneath a three-storey building.
There will also be parking for both residents and users of the food outlets.
In a report to the council prior to the meeting, planning officers recommended approval for Tarncourt Ambit 2013 Ltd's proposals for the site 'subject to the finalisation and signing of a Section 106 agreement for securing the proposed affordable residential apartments and subject to conditions.'
They said: 'The proposed development brings back into vital and viable use a prominent and largely redundant brownfield site within the defined development limits of south Lowestoft. Although the occupiers for the proposed commercial units have not been confirmed, the development has been designed to accommodate the operational requirements of Frankie and Benny's family restaurant and a drive through Starbucks.'
A design access statement, prepared by the Harris Partnership Ltd (architects) on behalf of Tarncourt Ambit 2013 Ltd, was submitted to Waveney ahead of the meeting. It said: 'The new proposals will remove old and disjointed buildings from a prominent site. The new scheme will rejuvenate the local area and will provide additional job opportunities.'
At a meeting of the Kirkley Business Association before Christmas, those businesses in attendance said the scheme proposed was a 'fantastic idea.'
A spokesman for Waveney District Council said: 'The Kirkley Rise scheme was granted permission, subject to the conditions in the planning report.'
? Got a Lowestoft story? Email mark.boggis@archant.co.uk
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