North Lowestoft Men's Shed to transform vacant land near train station into community space

Land that has lain vacant since the 1950s could soon breathe a new lease of life as a social group for men hopes to turn it into a community space.

North Lowestoft Men's Shed will renovate the disused Lowestoft railway cattle dock, located next to the town's train station in Denmark Road.

The site, which is roughly three-quarters of an acre in size, would be the group's new home and allow them to host a variety of activities, while also offering a space for plants and wildlife to flourish.

The parcel of land was owned by Greater Anglia and handed to them through its community rail partnership in collaboration with the Lowestoft Central project.

John Ellerby, the shed's chairman, said the team cannot build on the site, but they can cultivate it.

Current plans could see them plant rare Suffolk fruit trees – such as Old Blake and Suffolk Superb apple trees – cordon off an area for wildlife, and create a seating area for the group to sit down, have a drink and relax.

Mr Ellerby said: "We're incredibly excited to finally have a space and hope to welcome more members. We were handed the land in February and transforming it will make a good first project for everyone.

"The space will be used for whatever our members want to do, although we hope to leave an area for wildlife. We could also plant a mini-orchard or nursery for other plants. Who knows, in a few years time, any fruit we grow could be used to make cider.

"The great thing about projects like this is you never quite know where it's going to lead. And as members move on, activities on offer also shift. I hope we inspire a new wave of change.

"Our first step will be to lay the groundwork so we can place a portacabin or an old shipping container on the site, which we could store tools or a kettle for hot drinks. Our 'shed', so to speak.

"We also hope to acquire the building next door to the site, which would allow us more space for activities."

North Lowestoft Men's Shed was founded in 2019 by Mr Ellerby and friend Phil Lacey.

A similar organisation existed in the south of the town – and a long waiting list inspired the pair to start their own group.

It faced delays due to Covid-19, but its first public meeting is scheduled to take place on April 19.

The group hopes this will bring new members to them, and give a more concrete idea of what the land will be used for.

Mr Ellerby described men's sheds as social groups, typically for retired men, although he revealed that all would be welcome to use the land.

"Imagine you have a shed at the bottom of you garden, where you invite friends and potter about – that's the basic concept of these groups," Mr Ellerby said.

Men's sheds conduct a wide-range of activities, including gardening, beekeeping, woodworking, and much more, provided the land can support it, he noted.

The former railway cattle dock, where the land is located, was used to load cattle and pigs for delivery to the continent.

Mr Ellerby estimated it had sat abandoned since the 1950s.

He added: "Projects like this are about bringing people together. We can pass on skills, information, and encourage co-operation. And having a building or area to transform helps in this regard.

"While the current parcel of land currently has no water and no power – which limits what we can do – it has a lot of potential to be a fantastic little community space and puts an areas left to rot to good use."