Sprinkler water tank at Birds Eye Ltd, Whapload Road, Lowestoft

“The proposed water tank and pump house is required in order to take water feed from the main water mains in Gas Works Road for the purpose of a new sprinkler system throughout the Denes 1 Factory.”

“Birds Eye is a food processing plant and a protected employment site at policy WLP8.12 of the Adopted Waveney Local Plan (2019). The site located within the settlement boundary of Lowestoft and the use under Class B2 (General Industrial) of the Use Classes Order 1987 (as amended). Parts of the site are located in Flood Zones 2 and 3 and are at medium to high risk of flooding.”

“The site forms part of the existing surface carpark to the rear of the Birds Eye factory accessed from Gas Works Road. The main factory, Denes 1 and wider Birds Eye Food Processing Plant, is located on the eastern side of Whapload Road.”

“Consultee Date consulted Date reply received Lowestoft Town Council 3 July 2026 22 July 2026 Summary of comments: It was agreed to recommend approval of the application.”

“Consultee Date consulted Date reply received East Suffolk Environmental Protection 3 July 2026 8 July 2026 Summary of comments: No comment.”

“Buildings used for general industry are described as a less vulnerable form of development in relation to the NPPF (2026) Flood Risk Categorisation (Annex F, Table 2) and water transmission infrastructure/pumping stations and essential facilities are described as water compatible development, meaning that they would be considered an appropriate form of development in Flood Zones 2 and 3, and application of the sequential and exception tests is not required therefore…”

“Members were advised that no objections had been received, with the Town Council supporting the proposal and no comments submitted by the Ward Member. The Officer explained that the development would be located within the existing industrial estate and would result in the loss of approximately eight parking spaces, although the applicant had advised that the full parking capacity of the site was not currently used.”

“Councillor Byatt asked whether the water tank would contain only water or whether chemical fire suppressants would also be used. The Planning Officer advised that they were unsure of the technical details.”

“On the recommendation of Cllr Ashdown, seconded by Councillor Ceresa It was RESOLVED .”

“That planning permission is APPROVED subject to the following conditions:”

“The development hereby permitted shall be begun within a period of three years beginning with the date of this permission.”

“The materials and finishes shall be as indicated within the submitted application and thereafter retained as such, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the local planning authority.”