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Public Consultation on Public Works Loan Proposals

31 October 2023

Lowestoft Town Council are launching a public consultation on proposals to take out a Public Works Loan (PWL) of £4million to part-fund the Town Hall regeneration project.  The consultation will run from Friday 3rd November – Sunday 19th November with the survey and supporting information available to complete and read online or by attending drop-in events.

Members of the public are encouraged to complete a short survey on the proposals which include details of the Town Hall’s proposed designs and the supporting funding plans. 

As part of the consultation period, two drop-in sessions have been organised with members of the Town Hall Project Team and Design Team available to answer any questions.  The first session is on Friday 3rd November, 2pm-5pm at The Kirkley Centre, with a second session organised for Thursday 9th November, 3pm-6:30pm at 3 St Peter’s Street (on the Triangle Market).  Following the drop-in sessions, a window display will remain at the Triangle Market site until the conclusion of the consultation.

This loan will add to the already secured funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Towns Fund and East Suffolk Council for delivery of the project.  The cost of paying back the loan will not in itself trigger a rise in the council tax amount paid to the Town Council by the electorate within the parish of Lowestoft.

More details on the Town Hall Project can also be found on our website.

Public Consultation Public Works Loan Proposals

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Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan Consultation

31 October 2023

Neighbourhood Plan LogoA six-week public consultation on the Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan is being launched today (Monday 30th October 2023).

Following the previous consultation period that took place in early 2023, new policies have been added to the Neighbourhood Development Plan, alongside some further amendments to the existing policies.  Amongst the three new policies are two covering South Lowestoft, particularly the London Road South area and the South Lowestoft Conservation Area.  For this round of consultation, the Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group are particularly interested in hearing from residents and businesses within the Kirkley area on these new policies.

These new policies were influenced by comments made by local people and stakeholders, with over 200 individual comments and suggestions reviewed after the consultation had ended.  The changes reflect the continued importance that local residents, businesses and stakeholders have had on the development of this Plan.

Neighbourhood Development Plans are a powerful tool which is backed and informed by local debate and support.  The plan aims to shape the future development and growth of Lowestoft by making a direct contribution to the planning decision-making process whilst also striving to protect our unique heritage and green spaces.

This public consultation, known as the Regulation 14 Consultation, is part of the process of developing the plan before it comes forward for a public referendum.  Residents are encouraged to read the plan and submit any comments on the proposed policies into the Town Council by the 11th December 2023.  The comment submission form is available to download from the Town Council website, with hard copies available on request by contacting the Town Council offices by calling 0330 053 6019 or by writing to the Town Council at Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan (LNDP), c/o Lowestoft Town Council, Hamilton House, Battery Green Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1DE.

Draft Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan

Supporting Documents:

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New Bulky Waste Collection scheme aims to reduce fly-tipping

24 October 2023

Lowestoft Town Council are pleased to be launching a new bulky waste trial scheme, working in partnership with Ace Clearance.

Starting on 1st November, the scheme is designed to help households within the Parish of Lowestoft, improve our environment and reduce fly-tipping by offering a free-to-access collection service on bulky waste items.

The service will run Monday to Friday every week with phone lines open 8:30am-4:30pm and an answerphone service in place for out-of-hours messages.

To organise collection, Lowestoft residents should contact our appointed contractor Ace Clearance by phone (01502 802123) or email (info.aceclearance@gmail.com).

Ace Clearance may recycle some of the items collected, without collecting profit, with suitable items donated to local charity shops.

Please note that this service is only available to residents living in the parish of Lowestoft. A map of Lowestoft Town Council parish area and wards can be found on our website.

Bulky Waste Free Collection and Disposal Service 2

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Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday to be marked in Lowestoft

28 September 2023

Lowestoft Town Council are once again organising the annual commemorations of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday in Lowestoft.

Armistice Day is on Saturday 11th November and will be marked at the War Memorial on Royal Plain, Lowestoft Cemetery, and Belle Vue Park.  These short ceremonies will begin shortly before 11am.

The annual service to commemorate Remembrance Sunday will take place on Sunday 12th November at the War Memorial on Royal Plain.  This ceremony will begin shortly before 11am, following the parade from Claremont Pier. As with previous years, representatives from organisations and businesses will be welcome to lay wreaths at the War Memorial. If you would like to take part in the wreath laying and/or parade, please complete the booking form and return to admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk

All are welcome to attend these services as we gather as a community to pay tribute to the brave service personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Remembrance Sunday

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Lowestoft Town Hall receives National Lottery Heritage Fund award

27 September 2023

English Stamp Colour PNG 002Lowestoft Town Council secures support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for developing the Town Hall.

Lowestoft Town Council is delighted to announce that the Town Hall regeneration project has successfully secured second stage funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The award, worth £3,257,512, will play a pivotal role in revitalising the iconic Town Hall, with The National Lottery Heritage Fund panel recognising the project, led by Lowestoft Town Council, and its aim to make a “significant cultural, community, and economic contribution to Lowestoft”. 

Extensive consultation, including the opportunity to comment on the architectural designs, has demonstrated that the Town Hall is still very important to local people who overwhelmingly support its being brought back into community use and as an operational Town Hall.

This funding, alongside additional funding from Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund,  and Towns Fund, will assist the Town Council to progress its plans to renovate the Town Hall with provision for a compelling and innovative heritage hub, gallery space with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, wedding and reception venue with catering facilities, co-working space for sole traders and small businesses, a café, and additional community event space.  The Town Hall will also become the home for the Town Council with Council meetings and staff offices.

Cllr Sonia Barker, Mayor of Lowestoft said “This is the news we have all been waiting and hoping for.  The awarding of this funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by National Lottery players, will enable us to bring this iconic building back into community use.  On behalf of Lowestoft Town Council, I wish to thank everyone who has contributed to this project by responding to consultations, engaging with our heritage events and through bringing their expertise and passion.”

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “I’m thrilled that we have been able to provide significant support to this project, which will revitalise and preserve the UK’s remarkable built heritage. Saving heritage is core to what we do, and we look forward to seeing Lowestoft Town Council delivering a transformational project for the Town Hall. National Lottery funding will help to ensure this heritage space will be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone’s future.”

Cllr Toby Hammond, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Economic Development and Transport said: “As a partner in the Town Hall project, we are delighted that this significant funding has been secured. East Suffolk Council is committed to improving Lowestoft and the refurbishment of the Town Hall is one of five transformational regeneration projects which received a share of the £24.9 million Towns Fund last year..”

Tony Calladine, Historic England Regional Director, said: “This is fantastic news. It’s wonderful to see the vision for Lowestoft Town Hall being realised. This important local landmark has played a pivotal role in local life for so many years and thanks to such a collaborative effort, and the enthusiasm of local people, it will once again be at the vibrant heart of the community.”

With this funding now in place, work on the building is set to begin in March 2024 with the Town Hall reopening in late Summer 2025.

The Lowestoft Town Hall Project is a Lowestoft Town Council initiative supported National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Other significant funders for the regeneration include Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund, Towns Fund, and East Suffolk Council.

Town Hall Image Sept 2023

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Heritage Open Days returns to Lowestoft

5 September 2023

The hugely popular Lowestoft Heritage Open Days Festival returns this Friday, 8 September with ten days of free to enjoy activities celebrating our towns rich history and culture.

Once again, Lowestoft joins the nationwide celebration with a host of events specially curated for the festival with talks, walks, exhibitions, recitals, and rare opportunities to view behind the scenes at some of the area’s most iconic buildings. The opening of this years festival coincides with the opening of a new independent archive facility for the town, housed in the Grit Arts Centre on Old Nelson Street, with public tours available from Saturday.

On Saturday, 9 September, a free Heritage Bus Service will connect activities across Lowestoft and Oulton Broad calling at locations including Lowestoft Railway Station, Nicholas Everett Park in Oulton Broad, Whapload Road, Gordon Road and London Road South operated by the East Anglia Transport Museum in Carlton Colville which, with its working trams, trains and trolleybuses will also be opening free of charge to all for the day.

Other activities during the opening weekend include an 1880s Festival in the High Street / Triangle Market, Seafest 23 – a showcase of fish and seafood with live music and stalls at Sam’s Cold Store on Haddenham Rd, an exhibition featuring the former Lowestoft to Yarmouth Railway and tours of the historic swing bridge at Somerleyton.

As part of the festival several churches are opening their doors to visitors including the 500year old Parish church of St Margarets, Pakefield Church, Our Lady Star of the Sea in Gordon Road which will  enable the public to climb its tower and enjoy some spectacular views, North Lowestoft United Reform Church, St Nicholas Church and Christ Church, once at the very heart of the Beach Village which has served the town since 1869.

The festival brings a host of free to enjoy activities including opportunities to see artists at work, learn more about the towns famous composers, authors and artists, the manufacture of Lowestoft Porcelain, visit several of the town’s museums, a pop-up art gallery and five free music recitals.

The St John Ambulance Heritage Centre on Oxford Road will open its doors on Sat 9 and throughout the festival, a host of Old Lowestoft photographs from the Bert Collyer collection will be available to view at the Lowestoft Museum. Amateur Dramatic Society, the Lowestoft Players are opening their theatre housed within the former Sailors and Fisherman’s Bethel on Sept 16 and the neighbouring Marina Theatre are hosting tours and workshops on Sat 17.

Walks and talks include a tour of the nearby village of Corton with acclaimed historian David Butcher, the towns former Hanging Garden’s near the High Street, a chance to see and hear how the railway station narrowly survived destruction during two world wars, an update from the Lowestoft Central Project on their efforts to rejuvenate Lowestoft station, a workshop on tracing family histories and a fascinating tour giving a rare insight into the history and current operations of the Port of Lowestoft.

Exhibitions include railway photography, Corton and its connections to Colman’s Mustard, the history of some of Kirkley’s streets, famous local authors, composers and artists, fishermen’s Ganseys and the town’s maritime heritage.

Once again, the Lowestoft Festival is presenting more events than any town in Suffolk and the Festival Information Hub will be open throughout at the Tourist information Office at the railway station.

Martin Halliday, newly appointed Chair of the Lowestoft Heritage Open Days Festival steering group said; “We are thrilled to be launching this year’s festival, a unique celebration of our town’s heritage with all events free for the public to enjoy. We are hugely grateful to the many organisations and individuals that are enabling access to some of the town’s most iconic buildings or sharing some unique elements of our history including Network Rail for their Somerleyton Swing Bridge tours, the Lowestoft Central Project and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership for their sponsorship and hosting of the Festival Information Hub, many of the town’s historians and museums, especially the East Anglia Transport Museum who are operating the free Heritage Bus Service on Sat 9, connecting many of the festival locations and activities as well as opening their museum free of charge on the same day.”

To view all the free activities taking place as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days Festival, please go to www.heritageopendays.org.uk and search Lowestoft. For those unable to access online information, a free twelve-page printed listing guide has been produced and is available to collect from the Festival Information Hub at the railway station.

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Volunteers needed for Poppy Appeal

14 August 2023

One of the UK's most well known charities is the Poppy Appeal.

The Royal British Legion Lowestoft Branch are looking for volunteers to help with this years appeal.
The volunteers who help the charity are the lifeblood of the Poppy Appeal. Without them, they would not be able to collect those vital donations to provide essential support services for our Armed Forces Community.

So, if you can spare a little time to help - contact Phil Turner, who is the Lowestoft Poppy Appeal Organiser on 07715 673920

Poppy Appeal

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Works start at Denes Oval Tennis Courts

14 August 2023

Denes Oval Tennis Courts are currently scheduled to be closed until Friday 25th August. The courts are undergoing intensive cleaning and repainting work. These improvements are just part of the Town Council’s continued commitment to free to access sports facilities.
We thank you for your understanding whilst these works are completed. Of course, other free to access tennis courts can also be found at Kensington Gardens and Normanston Park.
Photo of Denes Oval Tennis Courts
Photo credit - Lowestoft Town Tennis Club

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Black History Month Competition returns for 2023

31 July 2023

Creative Writing & Visual Arts Competition 2023

BHM1Lowestoft Town Council are delighted to once again be marking Black History Month.  For 2023, we are building on our regular writing competition with the introduction of a visual arts competition.  The introduction of this competition gives another opportunity for young people in and around Lowestoft to enter and celebrate inspirational BAME people.

Theme:

The theme for both competitions is “inspired and proud”.  This theme encourages participants to think about the people who inspire them and make them proud.

Age categories:

The two competitions will also share the same age brackets:

  • up to and including year 2;
  • Years 3 – 6;
  • Years 7 – 11;
  • Years 12 – 13.

Participants are welcome to enter both the writing and arts competitions.

BHM23 VP1Creative Writing Competition:

For our creative writing, our judges are welcoming entries across a range of writing formats – from poetry to dramatic monologues and short stories (anything that shows off your creative writing skills!).  Your entry could be inspired by a real person or include fictional characters.  Maybe you want to write a monologue for Martin Luther King before his iconic “I have a dream” speech, maybe you’d like to write a short story about your own made-up character, or maybe you’d like to write a poem about Lewis Hamilton – the choice is yours!

Our judges will be scoring your work based on creativity, originality and how well your piece is written.

 

 

 

BHM23 VP2Visual Arts Competition:

New for 2023 is our Visual Arts Competition.  For this, we are welcoming any art entry.  It could be a collage, sculpture, drawing, painting, graphic design – the more creative, the better!  Your entry could depict a real person or be inspired by a BAME artist.  Maybe you could do a collage that represents Rosa Parks, be inspired by the clay sculptures of Augusta Savage or the silhouette work of Kara Walker.

In this competition, our judges will be looking at your interpretation of the theme, how creatively you’ve used your chosen art medium, and the quality of the art/artistic skills on display.

 

 

Application Deadlines:

The deadline for submissions is Friday 20th October.  Submissions should be submitted to admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk.  These can be in the form of a picture of the work.  Submissions should include the child’s name, age category and school (if applicable).

Prize Giving:

Prizes will be given to the winner of each competition’s age category.  Our judging panel will also award an overall prize for each competition alongside a prize to the winning school.  The award ceremony is currently scheduled for Friday 3rd November at 5pm (Venue TBC).  More details on this will be announced in the new academic year.

 

If you have any questions, please get in contact with us via admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk

Good luck to everyone and we look forward to seeing your amazing creative writing and artistic skills!

 

Terms and Conditions:

1. The competition is open to all children who either a) attend a school within the Lowestoft area or, b) live within the Lowestoft Town Council parish area.

2. The judging panel will be formed from a selection of Town Councillor and representatives of external bodies.

3. The judges' decision will be final.

4. The Town Council reserves the right not to consider any applications felt inappropriate or which do not meet the criteria set out above.

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Enjoy your PARKS this SUMMER

20 July 2023

With the Summer holidays upon us, Lowestoft Town Council will be highlighting the many things you can do in our parks for free over the summer - from enjoying our many play areas, to learning about the history of Lowestoft in the local museums.

Love Parks Week 2023Website LoveParks

Our Summer events start with #LoveParks Week, a national campaign organised by Keep Britain Tidy to celebrate the importance of our local spaces.  The campaign starts on Friday 28th July until Saturday 5th August.  Over the course of the week, we will be working with local organisations to put on some free events within our parks.  More details can be found on our Love Parks Events page.  The week will also include an online campaign, highlighting some of the features in our parks and how we can all look after and care for the them.

Play Areas20230307 130303

Lowestoft Town Council is very proud of its play areas within our parks as we continue to invest in them.  Recently, we have invested in the new "Alice in Wonderland" themed play area in Sparrows Nest, a "space-themed" play area in Rosedale Park and a "nature-themed" play area at Bentley Drive to name a few.  Each play area has its own unique theme and equipment to ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The play areas managed by Lowestoft Town Council are:

Britten Road | Bentley Drive | Clarke's Lane | Cotman Close | Gunton Community Park | Fen Park | Nightingale Road | Normanston Park |Pakefield Green | Rosedale Park | Sparrows Nest | St Margaret's Plain | Stoven Close | Thirlmere Walk | Whitton Green

Get interactive with historyNess App Image1

Lowestoft has a rich and diverse history and heritage which is celebrated throughout the town.

  • Get interactive with the history of The Ness with our FREE Ness app!
  • Visit the museums in Sparrows Nest - Lowestoft Maritime Museum, RNSPA Museum, War Memorial Museum(please check their websites for opening times and prices)
  • Discover the Lowestoft Porcelain Collection and more at Lowestoft Museum (in Oulton Broad).
  • Find out more about the diverse history of Lowestoft with the heritage plaque trail.

Keep activeSparrows Nest Bowls

Many of our parks have sports facilities that are provided for free and work on a "turn-up-and-play" basis.

  • Kensington Gardens - Tennis Courts, Bowls (bowls equipment is available from the Groundskeeper)Kensington Gardens Bowls club also run free bowls sessions on Wednesday evenings (from 6:30pm) and Sundays (10:00am)
  • Normanston Park - Tennis Courts, Outdoor Table Tennis
  • Denes Oval - Tennis Courts, Putting (equipment available from outside the pavilion).

Help us look after YOUR OPEN SPACES

You can do your part by:

  • Taking any litter home with you or putting it in the bins provided
  • Collecting and bagging all dog mess and placing it in any of the bins provided
  • Not fly-tipping
  • Joining our team of volunteer litter pickers

 

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