Norwich 1,100-homes plan approved

Norwich City Council is working with Weston Homes to deliver the project on the site of a former shopping centre, as part of the ‘Grounded in Norwich’ scheme. 

The firm has applied to demolish the shopping centre, Sovereign House and Gildengate House.

Plans for the 4.65 hectare site include: 

• 1,100 new homes ranging across buildings from three to eight storeys: 
  • 279 market sale. 
  • 58 social rent. 
  • 16 shared ownership properties. 
  • Use of remaining 747 homes will be determined by Reserved Matters applications.
• Up to 8,000 sqm of non-residential floorspace. 
• 450 car parking spaces. 
• 1,888 new cycle bays. 
• Community hall and hub. 
• Employment floorspace. 

The expected timeline for delivery will be from 2023 to 2031. 

Inside the scheme 

Weston Homes has included several design features for the scheme: 

• Ornamental balconies and contrasting brickwork. 
• Undulating roof spaces, consisting of gables, pitched roofs and dormer windows.
• Pedestrian courtyards accessed by covered archways and streets. 
• Electric vehicle charging point provision. 

The project will be delivered across four phases, and is expected to cost £220 million, according to Construction Enquirer. 

Demolition costs are £14.5 million. 

Full scope 

Around 2,211 direct and related construction jobs will be created. 

The project will provide a further 288 jobs in retail and other commercial premises. 

Affordable housing is set at 10%, 85% for social rent and 15% for shared ownership/equity Housing. 

This is below the council’s policy of 33% for affordable housing.

“Weston Homes is delighted by the Resolution to Grant Planning which underlines the creation of a local ‘Grounded in Norwich’ scheme, designed by the local community of Norwich,” said Bob Weston, chairman & managing director of Weston Homes. 

Weston Homes declined to comment further about the scheme. 

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