Major 500-home recommended for approval
East Suffolk councillors will discuss a bid to build the homes at the former Jeld Wen factory site
Last updated 31st Oct 2025
A major 500-home development at the site of a former factory has been recommended for approval by planners.
East Suffolk councillors will discuss a bid to build the homes at the former Jeld Wen factory site, in Waveney Drive, next to Lowestoft’s inner harbour, on Friday.
Statuslist Limited, which submitted the bid for the 14-hectare space, stands to spend some £115 million clearing out the existing factory buildings and carrying out the development.
It is also proposing to earmark just over two hectares for employment, as well as land for a new early years school.
No affordable homes have been proposed due to the costs associated with clearing out the brownfield site, which has been empty since 2010 and has several buildings containing asbestos.
Assessing the plans, officers said the development was ‘imperative’ to ensure the site’s decontamination and redevelopment.
This is despite the potential for homes to be flooded during a one-in-1000-year tidal event.
The council report says: “This would see the site remediated from its current despoiled, degraded, derelict and contaminated condition.
“Without a residential component adding viability, the site is likely to sit derelict as it has done for more than ten years, with no prospect of an alternative use.”
Land would be raised to protect higher-risk areas from flooding during lesser tidal events, while measures would be put in place to keep the early years school dry at all times.
Planners also considered residents would likely receive several days’ warning of potential tidal flood events.
Lowestoft Town Council believes the flood risk is not outweighed by the benefits and objected to the plans.
Concerns were raised by five other residents, while one submitted a letter of support.
The plans are recommended for approval, subject to a list of 41 conditions.