East Suffolk Council
Affordable and sustainable homes welcome tenants in Lowestoft
Six newly built properties are providing affordable rental accommodation for tenants following the redevelopment of unused offices in Lowestoft.
The local authority managed, two-bedroom homes have been built at the site of a former office building and car park in Milton Road East.
East Suffolk Council acquired the plot on the open market in 2021 for the development of affordable housing.
Designed by Rees Pryer Architects and part funded by Homes England, all six homes benefit from private rear gardens, air source heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers and solar photovoltaic panels, with off-road parking provided for five cars.
Construction was led by Needhams Building Contractors, in partnership with project managers Orwell Housing Association and chartered quantity surveyors Hyams QS Ltd.
Four of the first group of tenants are among former St Peter’s Court residents being moved to new accommodation ahead of next year’s planned demolition of the 1960s tower block.
Cllr David Beavan, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Housing, said: “This is a win, win, win. A win for social housing, a win for the environment and a win for Lowestoft with a redeveloped brownfield site. It will also pay for itself in rents in about 30 years’ time. Great work by our housing team.”
Dawn Edwards, Head of Development for Orwell Housing, said: “We’re very pleased that we’ve been able to assist East Suffolk Council in the provision of these much-needed affordable homes and it’s great to see a redundant site so close to Lowestoft High Street being brought back in to use.”
Stephen Lewis, Quantity Surveyor at Needhams Contracts Ltd said: "Needhams Contracts is pleased to have been involved in the successful completion and handover of this social housing scheme. Each home has been thoughtfully designed to meet modern standards of energy efficiency, ensuring a comfortable living environment for residents. We are proud to have partnered with Orwell Housing Association and East Suffolk Council and look forward to continuing our work in delivering housing solutions that make a positive impact."
Photo shows (L-R) Richard Mays (Hyams), Kirsty Ayers (ESC), James Hick (Homes England), Cllr David Beavan (ESC), Kieran Bleasby (Orwell), Cllr Janet Craig (ESC), Cllr Keith Patience (ESC) and Lucy (Milton Road East tenant).