Government to call-in controversial £271m Norwich regen

Communities secretary James Brokenshire is expected to call in Weston Homes’ £271m regeneration of Anglia Square in Norwich, after the city council resolved to grant consent. Planning committee members voted to approve the demolition of the Anglia Square shopping centre and derelict Sovereign House and extensive redevelopment on the 11.1-acre site, with seven votes in favour and five against. But, following complaints from Historic England, head of planning Graham Nelson said the resolution to grant approval would be superseded by central government. At a committee meeting on 6 December, Nelson said: “We have been notified by civil servants from the national planning casework unit that following them being contacted by Historic England, should the committee resolve to approve the planning application, they are intending to issue a formal notice to the council to prevent it from issuing that formal approval.” Weston Homes and landowner Columbia Threadneedle are seeking to deliver more than 1.2m sq ft of residential-led development across buildings of up to 20 storeys, having brought the height down from 25 storeys. The developer has proposed 1,250 homes, 120 of which would be affordable. The homes would comprise one- and two-bedroom flats and penthouses for private sale. Proposals include up to 27,182 sq ft of retail space allowing for 40 shops and an anchor food store. Also planned are a 200-bedroom hotel with a roof level bar and restaurant, and a new leisure quarter with a multi-screen cinema and a new church. The hybrid proposals would see 323 homes (0 affordable) delivered in phase 1, with completion expected by 2023. There are four phases, with full practical completion anticipated in 2027. The application was submitted in March, following two years of pre-application discussions with Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council, Norwich highways officers, Historic England and the Lead Local Flood Authority. In a formal response, Historic England’s David Eve said the redevelopment would “severely harm the city’s extraordinary historic character”. He added: “Were the scheme to be approved the implications would be of national importance so should your council be minded to grant planning permission we will ask the secretary of state to call in the scheme for his own determination.” The council received more than 767 objections to the development. Mayor of Norwich Martin Schmierer said: “I am genuinely gutted that planning permission was granted for Anglia Square in Norwich. The design is unimaginative; the amount of affordable housing is derisory and the impact will be extremely detrimental for the local community.” Bob Weston, chairman and chief executive of Weston Homes, said: “Anglia Square is a major £300m urban renewal project which will position Norwich for the future and provide a new mixed-use destination for the city. “This is one of the biggest urban renewal projects outside of Greater London, bringing striking new buildings, Covent Garden-style public spaces, inward investment and job creation.” Planning consent for regeneration including around 200 residential units was previously granted in October 2009, with subsequent consents for further redevelopment approved since 2013. The plans can be viewed at the Norwich City Council planning portal (application reference 18/00330/F).   To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette