A NEW pub and restaurant looks set to open its doors in Lowestoft in 2012 after plans were given the go-ahead.

The proposal from Marston's Inns and Taverns to develop a site next to the Horn Hill roundabout, near Asda, was approved by Waveney District Council planning officers under delegated powers.

A council spokesman said: 'The site is located within Strategic Site SSP5, Kirkley Rise, of the Lowestoft Lake Lothing and Outer Harbour area action plan. The area has been allocated for mixed use development including employment and residential uses with potential uses to include restaurants and bars.

'The proposed use as a pub restaurant with managers' living accommodation can therefore be considered to be in accordance with policy for this area.

In its planning application for the site, the Wolverhampton-based company said the restaurant would sit up to 180 people and offer 58 car parking spaces, including two for disabled people, and eight cycle stands. It is also set to include an outdoor amenity area with seating and a children's play area.

A spokesman for Marston's, the UK's largest independent brewer and pub operator, said: 'This is one of a number of new-build pub restaurants we are building across the country. These pubs are spacious, top quality and provide a relaxing environment for people looking for somewhere comfortable to have a drink, or a family meal.'

It is expected the pub will create between 50 and 60 full- and part-time jobs with work likely to start in late spring with a view to opening in the late summer of 2012.

An objection from one neighbour was lodged with the council, with concerns raised over potential anti-social behaviour, light pollution and noise.

However, in the council's report, a spokesman states: 'It is proposed to restrict the opening hours, which should help mitigate any noise nuisance... the proposal is aimed at family groups and is unlikely to generate significant noise.

'The site is within a predominantly commercial environment and as such the proposal is considered acceptable in this location.'

Marston's – which was formerly known as Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries – operates about 2,150 pubs nationwide. They sell a wide range of drinks including real ales produced by five breweries within the Marston's Beer Company. Among them are Marston's Pedigree, Banks's Bitter, Wychwood Hobgoblin and Brakspear Bitter.