New kittiwake hotel in Lowestoft planned for town's port

Plans could now see a new kittiwake hotel opening, with a new nesting structure unveiled in the port of Lowestoft - provided a scheme gets the go-ahead.

Kittiwakes nesting on Claremont Pier in Lowestoft in February. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With the region’s newest home - for around 430 pairs of seabirds - opening in February last year, a fourth structure could soon be installed at the site of the UK’s first kittiwake nesting structures to support consented offshore wind farms.

The latest plans, which are currently "awaiting decision", were lodged with East Suffolk Council last month.

Back then - The opening of the kittiwake nesting structures in Lowestoft last year. Inset: Kittiwakes in Lowestoft. Picture: Vattenfall/Mick Howes (Image: Vattenfall/Mick Howes)

A scheme centring around: "Proposed installation of a fourth Artificial Nesting Structure (ANS) for kittiwakes at the Port of Lowestoft," has been proposed, with the structure to "be located seaward of the outer harbour wall, next to the three consented ANS structures."

The plans submitted by agents SLR Consulting Limited on behalf of the applicant Scottish Power Renewables were lodged with East Suffolk.

A proposed 3D render of the structure. Picture: SLR Consulting Limited (Image: SLR Consulting Limited)

With the proposed ANS to be situated on the outer harbour wall at the Port of Lowestoft, the planning supporting statement adds: "The site, at Lowestoft Port, is selected due to its secure location and proximity to existing Kittiwake colonies which enhances the likelihood that the wall ANS would be rapidly colonised by new breeding pairs."

With the three ANS installed for "compensation measures for the local Kittiwake population," they were unveiled as part of offshore wind developers Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables’ environmental mitigation.

The proposed structural frames. Picture: SLR Consulting Limited (Image: SLR Consulting Limited)

It adds: "The delivery of a fourth ANS is required to fulfil the kittiwake compensation measures required under the East Anglia ONE North Development Consent Order.

"The existing ANS are surrounded by a predator-proof security fence which is 8m high which will be extended to enclose the proposed ANS.

"The applicant proposes to create a ‘like-for-like’ copy of the existing ANS already in-situ."

'Significant local and national importance'

With each nesting cabinet "designed to accommodate at least 24 nests", a total of six cabinets would be installed to cater for an estimated 144 nests.

With 432 nests "already consented," it adds: "The proposed fourth structure at Lowestoft Port will deliver the compensation requirement, such that the total provision on all four structures will be a minimum of 480 nests.

"This proposal will provide the additional compensation requirement, with some over supply."

With the proposed structure to be "constructed offsite" and craned into position, it adds: "If planning permission for this fourth ANS is not granted then the East Anglia ONE North offshore windfarm would not be able to progress.

"The proposal is therefore of significant local and national importance, and whilst it is a small development at a remote location, it will enable one of the UK's largest offshore wind farms to be progressed."

Kittiwakes nesting on Claremont Pier in Lowestoft in February - not far from one of the nearshore kittiwake hotels installed in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Last July, work was completed off South Beach in Lowestoft, as two new artificial nesting structures for "vulnerable seabirds" were developed by energy giant Ørsted as the first nearshore kittiwake ‘hotels’.