A range of significant improvements to "greatly enhance" key areas of a coastal town are set to be made after plans were given the green light.
New fountains - utilising the "latest technology" - are set to be installed as part of a major seafront redevelopment in Lowestoft that includes outdoor gym stations, seating, a boulder climbing space and a new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA)
A series of works to improve 'Public Realm Spaces' in the Royal Plain, Royal Green and the South Quay Wharf areas of town as part of a wider seafront vision have been given the go-ahead.
Plans centring around a "new fountain installation in existing location at Royal Plain" in Lowestoft, including "hard and soft landscape improvements with plantation and boulder features and lighting improvements" were lodged with East Suffolk Council in August and voted on this week.
These plans were submitted alongside "new access routes and soft landscape improvements with bespoke seating and outdoor gyms, plus EPP courtyard improvements, and new play area, also cycle hub to existing car park" at Royal Green and "hard and soft landscape improvements as pocket park" at South Quay.
A scheme submitted by agents Untitled Practice on behalf of the applicant East Suffolk Council was discussed at a meeting of the council's Planning Committee North in Lowestoft.
With the Seafront Vision project "one of five regeneration projects" detailed within the Town Investment Plan, which received £24.9m from the Government’s Towns Fund, planning officers recommended approval of the proposed development "for public realm works across three areas in Lowestoft".
Richard Best, project manager at East Suffolk Council, told councillors: "This project will deliver the replacement fountains to Royal Plain with the latest fountains technology."
He added that "a greatly enhanced destination place for the local community and visitors" would be created.
Cllr Andree Gee said it was "brilliant idea" that "enriched" the area with "something for everybody" provided.
Cllr Toby Hammond added: "This is going to be the centrepiece of the transformation of the seafront."
The scheme was subsequently approved after a unanimous vote.
New café complex
Revamp plans that will see a new café complex unveiled as part of £4.9m seafront vision have been given the go-ahead.
Works centring around the third phase of improvements to reinvigorate Jubilee Parade were approved this week.
Plans - focusing on the redevelopment of the Jubilee Parade complex on Lowestoft South Beach - centring around: "Demolition of existing single storey café kiosk, store and public WC block" along with a "proposed new two storey building with a first floor café" and "concessions space, small kiosk, external showers, toilets and changing places facility" on the ground floor, were approved after eight councillors voted in favour of the scheme and one abstained at a meeting of East Suffolk council's Planning Committee North in Lowestoft.
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