500 homes, employment and early years at Former Jeld Wen Factory, Lowestoft

“1.4The application is for Outline permission to provide up to 500 dwellings, up to 16,076sqm of B2/B8 floorspace; and up to 0.26ha of Early Years land with all matters reserved. The application is accompanied by a Parameters Plan showing employment provision in the north, Early Years setting in the east and residential on the remaining land. 1.5The application has been subject to a series of revisions which are described in the report.”

“1.Summary 1.1The site is located within the urban area of Lowestoft, south of Lake Lothing, and comprises land previously associated with the former Jeld Wen Factory, which was used to manufacture timber products until it fell out of use circa 2010. 1.2The site forms part of a wider allocation under Policy WLP2.4 (Kirkley Waterfront and Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood) of the Waveney Local Plan (Adopted March 2019).”

“The woodland, including a narrow section of land within the western boundary of the site, is designated as a County Wildlife Site (Jeld Wen County Wildlife Site). Beyond the site boundary to the south-west, south of this woodland and accessed from Waveney Drive, lies an area of land known as ‘the former Jeld Wen Playing Fields’. 2.4Since becoming vacant in 2010, the site has been used for temporary uses such as storage.”

“This may be required by them to cover the full cost of any additional emergency services provision needed, consistent with the ‘agent of change’ principle (see paragraph 200 of the NPPF). 9.100Taking account of the vulnerability of its users, and subject to ‘no objections’ being confirmed from either the Environment Agency, or the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit, Officers recommend that Members authorise approval and delegate authority to Officers to conclude this…”

“For this reason, Officers believe the exception test is capable of being passed in theory; however, it is noted that the comments of these consultees will be necessary in order to reach a final decision upon whether the wider sustainability benefits will outweigh any residual flood risk, and whether the FWEP is sufficient to ensure the development will be safe for its lifetime in compliance with the NPPF as a whole.”

“The Broads Authority: 4.3Do not object. They are satisfied that the proposal would not have an impact on the Broads. Environment Agency – Drainage: 4.4Comments are awaited following submission of a Draft Flood Risk and Evacuation Plan. At the time of writing this report, the consultation period has not expired.”

“Section 5.11 of the updated FRA recommends that a Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan (FWEP) is developed, but has not provided this FWEP in the FRA and instead suggests that it should form a planning condition, which is not appropriate. A Flood Evacuation Plan is necessary to ensure the safety of the development in the absence of safe access with internal flooding in the design and extreme flood events with climate change. One has not yet been provided.”

“Preference for uses to be in different locations (industrial at front like existing). • Design out of keeping with the character of its surroundings. • Impact upon historic environment. • Flood risk, particularly noting there is no flood barrier in the harbour. • Lack of jobs and risk of social cohesion issues. • Insufficient local services, such as health, to support increased population. • Increase in traffic, congestion and pollution.”

“On the proposal of Councillor Pitchers, seconded by Councillor Gee it was RESOLVED That the application is approved subject only to all of the following: a) That Officers incorporate the recommendations received from the Environment Agency and Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit (including the Suffolk Resilience Forum) when finalising the wording of conditions which are listed in Section 11.2 of the Agenda Report; b) That an agreement under Section 106 of the Town and…”