East Suffolk Council
Designs revealed for exciting seafront redevelopment
As part of a major programme to reinvigorate Lowestoft’s seafront, final designs for improvements at the Royal Plain, Royal Green and the South Quay Wharf areas have been revealed.
The improvements, which are the first phase of the London Road, Lowestoft High Street Heritage Action Zone and Seafront Masterplan, will include the installation of new fountains at Royal Plain, enhanced green spaces, public realm and leisure provision.
Working closely with East Suffolk Council, a team comprising HemingwayDesign, Untitled Practice and Gelling Studio have developed initial designs in readiness for a planning application to be submitted.
To enable residents to view the final designs, an event will be held at the East Point Pavilion on Thursday 6 July between 10am and 6pm. Members of the project team will be available to answer questions and talk through the improvements.
Cllr Toby Hammond, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Economic Development and Transport said: “This exciting project is just part of a suite of major regeneration works planned for Lowestoft, which aim to enhance the area for residents and attract visitors. There is huge redevelopment already underway, from major regeneration in the town centre including the repurposing of the former Post Office and vacant station building, redevelopment of the Council’s current Customer Services Centre and the Battery Green car park, through to the Gull Wing bridge and the installation of the permanent flood defences.
“The improvements at Royal Plain, as well as the planned redevelopment at Jubilee Parade, will create a seafront for local communities to be proud of, and encourage even more visitors to come and enjoy the area.”
Wayne Hemingway, Founder of HemingwayDesign said: “We are excited to share proposals for the Seafront Vison area comprising Royal Plain, Royal Green and South Quay. Proposals include the installation of new fountains at Royal Plain, enhanced green spaces, public realm and leisure provision designed to create an uplifting, convivial, and accessible seafront; encourage fun and social interaction; promote physical, mental and social well-being; respond positively to the climate and biodiversity crisis; and create spaces and places that provide long term place marketing opportunities for Lowestoft.
“As Lowestoft’s seafront renaissance continues and more people visit the seafront, having a revitalised northern entry point to the town’s grand South Beach promenade and magnificent beaches is vital. The community have missed the fountains and the new feature will be a major attraction in its own right.”
Due for completion by May 2024, the improvements to the Royal Plain area will complement the repurposed East Point Pavilion, the new Eastern Edge beach huts and the recently refurbished beach huts near to the Claremont Pier.
The Seafront Vison project is one of five transformational regeneration projects which are detailed within the Town Investment Plan, which received £24.9m from the Government’s Towns Fund last year.
Additionally, East Suffolk Council was awarded £4.3m through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund earlier this year to support the works at Jubilee Parade.
The Jubilee Parade development will include a two-storey café, concession units, public toilets, a Changing Places facility, and extensive public realm improvements to the surrounding seafront area. Details of these designs will be available within the next few weeks.