New jobs with drive-thru proposed for Gunton Garage site

New jobs could be created as a long-serving petrol filling station in Lowestoft looks to unveil new facilities.

Redevelopment plans have been earmarked for the Gunton Garage site at 265 - 271 Yarmouth Road in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) The operators of Gunton Garage have lodged plans to redevelop the site, accessed off the A47 Yarmouth Road, and provide an upgraded new petrol filling station.

Developers want to upgrade the existing site "which provides an important facility for motorists travelling on A47" in Lowestoft.

Redevelopment plans have been earmarked for the Gunton Garage site at 265 - 271 Yarmouth Road in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Under their proposals - lodged with East Suffolk Council - for Gunton Garage at 265-271 Yarmouth Road, Lowestoft it would see the existing sales building, forecourt, vacant site manager's bungalow and hand car wash facility all demolished.

The vacant former site manager's office would be demolished as redevelopment plans have been earmarked for the Gunton Garage site at 265 - 271 Yarmouth Road in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) A new sales building with a drive-thru facility to provide 'Food to Go'/hot food takeaway would be installed, along with a forecourt, pumps, canopy, car wash, underground tanks, car parking, EV charging bays and associated works.

The existing sales building would be demolished as a new sales building with a drive-thru facility to provide 'Food to Go' is proposed as redevelopment plans have been earmarked for the Gunton Garage site in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Plans lodged by agents JMS Planning & Development Ltd on behalf of the applicant NPRT Limited are "awaiting decision" with the council.

The proposed site layout plan earmarked for the Gunton Garage site at 265 - 271 Yarmouth Road in Lowestoft. Picture: Frowsbury Design/NRPT Limited (Image: Frowsbury Design/NRPT Limited) Documents submitted by the applicants say the proposals will bring "a wide range of economic benefits".

A planning, design and access statement said the redevelopment of the existing roadside facility "will also create new jobs and represent new inward investment into Lowestoft."

The hand car wash facility will be replaced with a new drive-thru facility as redevelopment plans have been earmarked for the Gunton Garage site in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) It adds: "The proposed new sales building will seek an uplift in the retail floorspace of 225.4sq m - from 87sq m to 312.4sq m - which will create an improved sales building to the benefit of customers.

The existing canopy will be demolished and a new canopy is to be installed that will not be linked to the sales building as redevelopment plans have been earmarked for the Gunton Garage site in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"In addition to the sales area section, a ‘Food to Go’/hot food takeaway offer will be located on the northern section of the building.

The four existing pump islands will be demolished and three pump islands and pumps will be installed as redevelopment plans have been earmarked for the Gunton Garage site in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "The provision of a hot food offer on-site supports the applicant's ambition to ensure that its shops provide customers with an exceptional product range and 'food to go' offer."

The filling station dates back more than 40 years,

A decision is likely to be made by East Suffolk Council in the coming weeks.