A nationwide property developer will soon be starting construction works at the site of a historic former hotel.

A new lease of life looks set to be in store for the "large residential complex" at Abigail Court in Lowestoft.

Listed as a convalescent home in the 1880s, the historic site that consists of three buildings on land covering some 0.170 hectares was previously a hotel but has since been used as independent flats for over 20 years.

Work will be starting soon at Abigail Court in Lowestoft. Picture: HJ Collection Developers LtdWork will be starting soon at Abigail Court in Lowestoft. Picture: HJ Collection Developers Ltd (Image: HJ Collection Developers Ltd) After a bid was lodged last year to convert the vacant restaurant and bar space of Abigail Court - which had been empty for at least two years - and create five new flats, plans were withdrawn earlier this month.

However a separate scheme was also submitted to East Suffolk Council in September last year that was subsequently approved last November.

With a bid from applicants HJ Collection 2 Limited for "Certificate of lawful use (existing) - use of the ground floor, first floor and second floor of former hotel as independent flats" proposals sought "to establish that the property, known as Abigail Court has been used as flats for a continuous period of time."

Work will be starting soon at Abigail Court in Lowestoft. Picture: HJ Collection Developers LtdWork will be starting soon at Abigail Court in Lowestoft. Picture: HJ Collection Developers Ltd (Image: HJ Collection Developers Ltd)

A delegated report from the council's case officer granted the Certificate of Lawfulness after "32 flats across the ground, first, and second floors" had been evidenced.

Posts on the HJ Collection Developers Ltd website and social media pages last week said that there is "exciting progress" on the Abigail Court development in Lowestoft.

It said that the site has been "fully stripped out and cleared", while plans have been finalised and branded hoardings have been installed at the site.

It added that "construction work is imminent - with final tender packages under review, building is set to begin soon" for the conversion of part of the ground
floor and the upper floors into 27 new apartments.

It said: "Additionally, a 10-year contract has been signed with a housing association, securing a fixed rental income for the duration.

"This project is poised to offer much-needed residential accommodation in the area."