Town centre revamp delayed after sewer discovery

The multi-storey car park in Lowestoft is being demolished and transformed

Planners who are designing a £24.9m town centre regeneration have gone back to the drawing board after the discovery of a sewer.

East Suffolk Council wants to turn Lowestoft's former multi-storey car park and the Marina Customer Services Centre into a thriving cultural quarter.

The local authority says the Lowestoft Regeneration Programme will bring new leisure facilities, a restaurant and "cultural opportunities".

But it will be pushed back a year because of the sewer discovery and a "change in market conditions", a council spokesperson has said.

Tim Wilson is the cabinet member for economic development and regeneration from the Liberal Democrat, Green and independent-led coalition.

"The project was designed to be ambitious and remains so," he said.

"The market has changed and we are making changes to ensure it remains viable and has a positive impact on the town's businesses and its community."

'Best outcomes'

The original concept was developed three years ago but, after discussions with Anglian Water over the sewer issue, the council went back to the drawing board.

The council said it used this as an opportunity to review demand for certain as aspects of the scheme, and said there was minimal interest for commercial leisure provision.

The car park, therefore, is due to become a space for creative and cultural use and the marina centre a flexible venue for community outreach work - a spokesperson says.

"We have reviewed the project to ensure we deliver the best outcomes for our community and visitors," added Wilson.

The Marina Customer Service Centre will become a flexible venue for community outreach work, the council says

The sewer was a "large-diameter critical asset which serves a significant catchment area of Lowestoft", the council added.

Construction work is expected to recommence in the spring with the build expected to be completed at some point in 2027.

An Anglian Water spokesperson said it was supporting the council with its "regeneration ambitions".

"We need to ensure we are able to operate and maintain our [sewer] in a way that does not create a risk to the environment, or to the health and safety of our people and members of the community," they said.

Anglian Water said the sewer was discovered in April.