An ambitious vision which will see the area around Lowestoft harbour regenerated with new jobs, businesses and homes has been revealed.

The Lake Lothing and Outer Harbour Area Action Plan (AAP) is a blueprint for how development in two of the town's most deprived areas, around the harbour and in Kirkley, might look over the next 15 years.

After more than four years of work and consultation, the detailed plan - which has been drawn up by Waveney District Council and urban regeneration company 1st East - is finally ready to be submitted to the secretary of state for approval. Once it has been approved, all planning decisions relating to the harbour and Kirkley areas have to follow the guidelines set out in the scheme.

The Kirkley and Harbour wards have both been named among the UK's most deprived areas, and these wide-ranging proposals aim to improve the area significantly by 2025 by creating 1,000 new jobs, providing 1,500 new homes in Kirkley, attracting more industry to the port and improving public access to the waterfront.

The vision for 2025 includes an improved Peto Square, with better access and connections both to the town centre and the waterfront. The waterfront itself is earmarked for new commercial and leisure facilities and north of the harbour, the historic Scores could be enhanced to attract visitors to the town's High Street. There is also hope that Ness Point could be transformed into a visitor attraction, linking to a neaby Power Park which would be a hub for renewable energy industries between hamilton Dock and the OrbisEnergy centre.

A Waveney District Council spokesman said: 'By 2025, this area will be an outstanding place to live, work and visit, building on its unique location between the North Sea and the broads. People will choose to live and work there because of the job opportunities, high quality environment, heritage and sense of place and quality of life.'

The AAP will be published and made available until mid-December before being sent to the secretary of state for approval in January.