Timber windows and shopfront alterations at 99-99A High Street, Lowestoft
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by East Suffolk Planning Committee North on 20 Jan 2026.
What was proposed
The application proposed timber sash windows at first and second floor level and alterations to the ground-floor shopfronts, with its existing uses unchanged.
“1.Summary 1.1.This application seeks permission for the replacement of modern aluminium windows at first and second floor level with traditional timber sash windows and alterations to the shopfronts at ground floor level. The site lies within the North Lowestoft Conservation Area and comprises a Positive Unlisted Building that contributes to the historic character of the High Street.”
“2.Site Description 2.1.The site comprises a three-storey mid-19th-century building located on the east side of High Street, within the North Lowestoft Conservation Area. The property dates from around 1866 and was designed by William Oldham Chambers for A. Adams, a grocer and provision merchant.”
Officer report
The officer recommendation
Officers recommended approval because the works would remove detracting modern elements, restore traditional detailing and enhance the conservation area and building.
“7.5.National Planning Policy Framework 2024 8.Planning Considerations 8.1.The North Lowestoft Conservation Area Character Appraisal identifies the High Street as retaining a notable collection of late 19th and early 20th-century shopfronts and upper- floor detailing. No. High Street is a Positive Unlisted Building that contributes to this character, but its architectural integrity has been compromised by modern aluminium windows and unsympathetic shopfront alterations.”
“8.4.National policy in the NPPF requires great weight to be given to the conservation of heritage assets (paragraphs 199-202). The proposals will enhance the significance of the building and the conservation area and deliver public benefits through heritage-led regeneration, improved townscape quality, and support for local economic activity.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
No third-party representations were received, ecology raised no objections, and Lowestoft Town Council gave no response.
“The use of the premises as retail units with residential above remains unchanged. 4.Consultations Third Party Representations 4.1.No-third party letters of representation have been received at the time of writing. Consultee Responses ConsulteeDate consultedDate reply received Lowestoft Town Council5 December 2025No response Summary of comments: 136”
“No comments received at time of writing. ConsulteeDate consultedDate reply received East Suffolk Ecology5 December 202517 December 2025 Summary of comments: No objections. 5.Publicity The application has been the subject of the following press advertisement: PublicationPublished dateExpiry dateReason Beccles and Bungay Journal 12 December 20257 January 2026Conservation Area Lowestoft Journal12 December 20257 January 2026Conservation Area 6.Site notices Site Notice TypeDate…”
Officer report
What members discussed
An assistant planning officer or planner presented photographs and elevations, and a councillor declared an acquaintance with the building’s leaseholder.
“The Assistant Planning Officer/Planner showed photographs and existing and proposed elevations of the building. It was deemed compliant with all relevant local and national planning policies and was recommended for approval.”
“Councillor Ashdown declared that he was acquainted with the leaseholder of the building.”
Minutes
The vote
Councillor Gee proposed approval, Councillor Hammond seconded it, and the committee agreed unanimously.
“On the proposal of Councillor Gee, seconded by Councillor Hammond it was unanimously…”
Minutes
The decision
Planning permission was granted subject to the consultation outcome and conditions covering the time limit, approved plans, and materials.
“That planning permission is granted subject to the full outcome of the consultation period being presented to committee.”
Minutes
Sources
- East Suffolk Planning Committee North minutes, 20 January 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of East Suffolk's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- East Suffolk
- Date
- Tuesday 20 January 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Vote
- Unanimous
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- East Suffolk committee decisions →
This committee's year
23 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 2 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.