Anglia Square redevelopment plans rejected
Plans to spend £271m redeveloping Anglia Square in Norwich have been rejected by central Government.
Last updated 13th Nov 2020
Controversial plans to spend millions revamping the area in Norwich were given the green light back in 2018 by Norwich City Council.
Following a number of rejections to the proposals, including calls from Historic England for an independent inquiry, the plans were called in by the Government last year.
The Secretary of State has now made a decision to reject the proposals - we've approached his office for comment.
Norwich City Council has described the decision as "disappointing".
Alan Waters, Leader of the City Council, said: "This overturns the local democratic decision made by the city council to go ahead with the development as well as the planning inspector’s recommendation to approve it following an extensive public enquiry.
“Not only will it substantially delay progress on a site in desperate need of development, but also make it very unlikely that Norwich will be able to benefit from the £15m of government funds already allocated to it to accelerate development of the site.
“Now, more than ever, we need to be investing and building on sites like these to stimulate the economy and offer jobs and homes to people.
“The developer and council have worked incredibly hard to get to this point and we will need to take time to digest today’s decision and work out the next steps. This part of the city offers so much potential – but sadly that potential is once again being left unfulfilled."
Opposition Green councillors have described this as an "opportunity".
Councillor Martin Schmierer, who's been active in the campaign against the proposals, said he was relieved by the decision: "As one of the local councillors who has been opposing the current proposals for the last three years or so, I am obviously relieved by the decision. We have always supported efforts to seek an alternative for this site that has the support of the local community.
"This is now an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and create a scheme that respects the heritage of the city of Norwich, supports the local economy and works for the community.
“As a local councillor I fully understand the need for this site to be re-developed, but it needs to be in a way that is appropriate for the city of Norwich.
"The proposals, if they had been built, would have simply resulted in another eyesore.
"It's a real shame that Norwich City Council pursued this project and wasted so much taxpayers' money, given the strength of opposition from so many groups and institutions as well as the local community.
"The people of Norwich can breathe a sigh of relief tonight that what would have been a costly, multi-million pound mistake will not be going forward."
Historic England, who asked for the scheme to be called in by the Secretary of State back in 2018, said they welcome the decision to reject plans which they would have an "extensive and harmful" impact on the historic character of Norwich.
John Neale, Head of Development Advice for Historic England said: “We are pleased that the Secretary of State has not granted permission for proposals which we have always argued would be highly damaging for Norwich. The future of Anglia Square remains to be resolved, and we are keen to work with the City Council and community to help secure a scheme which would renew this area in a way which both benefits the community and reinforces Norwich's exceptional historic character".
We have approached developer Weston Homes for comment.