Lowestoft: Plans Approved For New Council Offices

19 September 2013, 07:23 | Updated: 19 September 2013, 07:41

Plans have been approved to move Suffolk County Council and Waveney District Council into a new building.

The new, energy-efficient building will house around 500 staff from Suffolk County Council and Waveney District Council.

It should be ready to move in to by 2015 and councillors have told Heart by leaving old and inefficient buildings the project will reduce taxpayer costs by around £3 million over 10 years.

Cllr Colin Noble, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, said: “This is an important development for Lowestoft and marks a key milestone for the economic regeneration of the Kirkley Waterfront.

“Not only will this enable us to deliver services more effectively and efficiently for the benefit of Lowestoft, we’ll also be able to significantly reduce the cost to taxpayers during the next decade.”

Cllr Mike Barnard, Waveney’s Cabinet Member for Resources said: “This is absolutely fantastic news for Lowestoft. This landmark development is in an area already earmarked for office use and will save taxpayers millions of pounds currently paid out to maintain a host of unsuitable buildings.

“It will also contribute positively to the regeneration of the Kirkley Waterfront and act as a genuine catalyst for further investment in Lowestoft. It is a real win-win for the town”

But, concerns have been raised that moving the jobs out of the town centre will affect shops and cafes.