Flood defence issue leads to warehouse flats plan stall

A bid to tear down a warehouse and build 14 riverside flats has stalled over fears the building work could damage vital flood defences.

Dion Dionysiou, the developer behind the project, has been granted permission to turn the property in Great Yarmouth into a block of apartments in Archers Road.

However, he has run into difficulty progressing the project due to not providing enough evidence to show that the design of the foundations will not affect the adjacent flood wall.

This runs along the River Bure in the North Quay area, close to the Yarmouth yacht station.

The Environment Agency and Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s planning officers have blocked the bid from continuing until the developer can provide adequate evidence that will show the flood wall will not be harmed by the development.

Two attempts to gain permission to proceed with the construction of the flats have been blocked so far this year – in May and most recently this month.

The scheme gained permission in 2021 but the warehouse was subsequently sold at auction last year.

The flats, if built, will offer panoramic views over the river and town.