A scheme to convert five Victorian properties into new supported housing units would provide a town with a much needed service, it is said.
Plans have been lodged with Waveney District Council for the conversion of the five houses on Cleveland Road in Lowestoft into 14 self-contained flats.
An application for the 'conversion and change of use' from the five houses at 31, 33, 35, 39 and 43 Cleveland Road 'to provide 14 units of supported housing accommodation with support staff accommodation' has been submitted to the council and is currently awaiting decision.
A joint letter sent from East Suffolk Council and MAVAM Supported Housing Ltd to homeowners in Cleveland Road, states: 'The council has recently developed proposals for the conversion of five properties it owns on Cleveland Road to provide Supported Housing.
'The completed scheme will be managed by MAVAM Group, who specialise in the provision of housing with support for people with a variety of support needs.
'MAVAM have a number of successful schemes throughout Suffolk and have been selected by Waveney District Council and Suffolk County Council to provide this much needed service within Lowestoft.'
It adds: 'The properties have recently been externally upgraded and the proposed redevelopment of these buildings will see a number of unoccupied properties brought back into use, which will improve the general look of this part of Cleveland Road and will also be of benefit to the community.'
A design and access statement from ASD Architecture Ltd states the proposal is 'for the conversion of five townhouses to 14 self-contained supported accommodation flats for vulnerable people with support needs and associated staff and communal facilities2.
It adds: 'With the houses at the far end of the road from the main junction with London Road South, the homes and associated land covers about 612sq m (0.0612ha) of land on Cleveland Road.'
With 24-hour on-site staff support to be available, provided the scheme gets the go-ahead, the design and access statement says the proposal 'makes good use of a number of unoccupied buildings in an area unlikely to be developed or improved.'
It concludes: 'The proposed development provides an improvement to the area as well as fulfilling a need in the community.'
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