A multi-million pound plan could see parts of Norwich transformed
The council is applying for funding from the government's levelling up fund
A multi-million pound project to shake up Norwich city centre could see the taxi rank moved to make space for plants and benches.
The project is one of two bids for cash from the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ Fund, and would transform the area around Guildhall Hill and Exchange Street.
The other project would meanwhile involve a range of measures to regenerate Sloughbottom Park.
The city centre scheme has received support from local Labour MP Clive Lewis and would form part of the ongoing ‘Connecting the Lanes’ programme.
It is estimated to cost some £5.9m in total.
According to a report presented to the Greater Norwich Growth Board (GNGB) in October, the project would “create a public space destination in the civic heart of Norwich between the Guildhall, Jarrold Department Store and the Market that would be connected to the north of the city centre via a rejuvenated Exchange Street.”
A new taxi rank would be located between City Hall and the Forum, close to the corner of St Peter’s Street and Bethel Street, enabling the creation of “an attractive and generous seating and planted area below the Guildhall where the taxi rank currently lies”.
The report adds: “The demand is demonstrated by the people that crowd into Memorial Gardens to chat and eat throughout the day.
“The arrangement of seating and planting would open and frame pedestrian routes that are currently blocked by parked and manoeuvring taxis.”
“Access to parking for disabled motorists and commercial loading for the Market and business premises on Guildhall Hill would remain.”
Changes to Exchange Street would include the “widening and paving the footway, elevating the asphalt carriageway close to footway level and introducing permanent street furniture so people can sit outside and enjoy their surroundings, including at the popular cafes which have benefited from the temporary arrangements introduced during the pandemic”.
The GNGB has said it would be prepared to contribute some £2.8m towards the project, with the rest coming from the government.
The second scheme, at Sloughbottom Park, has received the backing of local Conservative MP Chloe Smith, and would cost some £8.5m in total.
According to the GNGB report, the project “aims to improve the wellbeing and life chances of people in Mile Cross, helping to address the intergenerational problems which entrench deprivation and inhibit social mobility”.
It would see the creation of a new 3G football pitch, which the report says would provide “a high-quality, consistent playing surface which can be used year-round, greatly enhancing playing capacity and supporting more youth and adult matches”.
It adds: “The new pitch will facilitate development of affiliated football in Norwich, plus allow for more youth matches, women and girls’ football, disability football and participation from lower socio-economic groups in Mile Cross and Norwich-wide”.
The pitch would be accompanied by a “rebuilt” pavilion and cafe – though a council spokeswoman confirmed that this would not involve the demolition and replacement of the existing pavilion.
The report states: “Overlooking the playing fields, the existing pavilion will be rebuilt as a more suitable community facility.
“The pavilion will serve multiple purposes: an information hub and classroom for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust so they can take school parties and local volunteer groups to the adjacent Sweetbriar Marshes, a space for the BMX club to run British Cycling sessions and Norfolk County FA to run coaching and educational sessions and will also be available for public booking.”
The regenerated park would also enjoy league-standard changing rooms and an upgraded play park, which would feature more inclusive equipment.
In addition, the BMX track would be refurbished, including the provision of modular storage facilities to be shared with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, as well as the car park being resurfaced.
New signage and lighting would be placed along the park’s central path and around the car park, with the ‘Dolphin Path’ cycle route upgraded and two independent bike repair stations installed within the park’s grounds.
The GNGB has said it would be prepared to contribute some £850k towards the project, with the rest coming from government.
The government has not yet revealed which projects will be awarded funding.
Norwich’s neighbouring councils – Broadland and South Norfolk – did not submit any bids, despite being entitled to submit two bids of up to £20m each.
A spokesman for the two authorities said they would instead focus on other funding streams.
Every other Norfolk council has made at least one bid for money from the programme.