Prominent former offices close to a town centre have been demolished with new homes set to be built.
Work is under way at the former Shaw Trust offices, close to Lowestoft town centre, which have been empty for more than three years.
In March last year, a new homes bid was unanimously approved by East Suffolk Council's planning committee north for a scheme that would see six new homes built to be available for affordable rent.
Plans centring around the "Development of six, two-bed dwellings after demolition of existing building" at 15-18 Milton Road East in Lowestoft were given the go-ahead after a scheme was submitted by agents Rees Pryer Architects in November 2021, on behalf of the applicant East Suffolk Council.
The single storey office building, which has been vacant since 2019, has now been demolished with "six, two-bedroom properties with associated parking and outdoor amenity space" set to be built - with the properties set to "form part of the council's housing portfolio".
In September 2020 plans were lodged to convert the former offices into four new retail sites.
But with that scheme subsequently withdrawn in August 2021, plans were lodged later that year with the site described as "an excellent opportunity to deliver six much needed two bedroom homes."
With the "new build" of six homes on Milton Road East, Lowestoft under way, a post on the East Suffolk Council website states the council acquired the site "on the open market in February 2021."
It adds: "The site, located on Milton Road East in central Lowestoft, consists of a single storey office building and adjacent car park which is due to be demolished in Summer 2023.
"The scheme will comprise of six two-bedroom houses all of which will be available at a social rent.
"The properties will benefit from private rear gardens and off road parking is provided for five cars.
"The homes will include air source pumps, EV chargers and solar PV panels."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here