Go-ahead for 132 new homes at former hospital site Lowestoft

A phased hybrid development for 132 homes in Oulton - on the outskirts of Lowestoft - has been given the go-ahead.

Plans to transform the 14 acre site - on land north of Union Lane that once housed Lothingland Hospital as well as the former Oulton Workhouse, including its burial ground - with a huge new housing estate have been given the green light.

The site is situated on the edge of Oulton in Lowestoft on an irregular shaped parcel of land. Picture: Oldman Homes Limited (Image: Oldman Homes Limited)

The scheme's two proposed phases - the first seeking full approval and the second seeking outline permission, meaning the latter would come back to councillors - were approved at a meeting on East Suffolk Council's planning committee north on Tuesday.

It means the proposals submitted to East Suffolk Council by Lowestoft-based housing developer Oldman Homes for the 132 homes - four of which are affordable and seven custom build plots - will be built, with the work to be carried out in two phases.

The first phase is for 45 homes, with the second phase for a further 87 as part of a phased hybrid development.

An existing site view - showing the eastern border of the site, looking west - for the proposed scheme in Oulton, Lowestoft. Picture: Oldman Homes (Image: Oldman Homes)

The new homes will comprise one, two, three and four bed homes, all with private off-street parking and back gardens.

There will also be around 1.10 hectares of public open space - including a children's play area and new tree planting.

With planning officers recommending approval of the proposed development of subject to to the completion of the S106 Legal Agreement and planning conditions, case officer Matthew Gee said the historic burial ground would be "left as open space within phase two" of the scheme.

He added the scheme consisted of "good housing quality" with a "contemporary approach" to fit in with the application area, creating "an attractive aesthetic to the estate."

'A good representation'

Two Oulton residents spoke at the meeting objecting to the plans, as concerns over access, creation of a footpath, the volume of traffic, highways and pedestrian safety and the impact on heritage assets was highlighted.

Oulton parish councillors Jenny Hinton and John Sarbutt also spoke of traffic problems and concerns about the loss of local habitats - including adders - on the land.

In proposing approval of the recommendation, Cllr Paul Ashdown said: "This application has been on the table for many years.

"What we've seen is I think a good representation of what can come on the site.

"I'm disappointed that we cannot got the amount of affordable homes that we would like, but the viability study is there and is quite justified and has been checked so I am happy that we can recommend approval of the application for this site." 

This was seconded by Cllr Malcolm Pitchers, who said: "I know this area very well and I find the mix of housing very attractive.

With a seconded proposal for acceptance of the scheme, votes were cast - with eight councillors voting in favour, and one against, with no abstentions as this was carried.