The firm was forced back to the drawing board to completely overhaul its original proposal after the Secretary of State intervened over-turning the City Council’s previous planning approval decision to redevelop the 11.5 acre site.

Resolution to approve Weston Homes’ latest scaled-down hybrid planning application allows the developer to take over ownership of the Anglia Square site from current landowner Columbia Threadneedle.

Although there are several hurdles to be finalised, Weston Homes anticipates that now it will start the phased redevelopment within the next few months.

The £300m development will reinstate the historic street pattern that existed during the Victorian era, to deliver a new neighbourhood in the place of the old shopping centre for Norwich.

Costings

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The project is expected to cost around £220m to build over four phases lasting nearly nine years

Estimated demolition costs are £14.5m, split between £5.4m between the area for the detailed planning application plus a further £9.1m for the remainder of the area in later phases .

(l-r) Existing shopping centre site in the north of the city centre and the planned housing-led redevelopment

During the construction, the development will create over 2,200 jobs.

The project will see 14 new building blocks ranging in height from 3 to 8 storeys, which are designed around inner courtyards, a public square and a network of pedestrian streets.

The new plans represent a 35% reduction in the overall floorspace, with the original 20-storey tower plan axed, and 52% of the residential dwellings now dual aspect, compared to 30% previously.

Plans for Anglia Square designed by architect Broadway Malyan

The scheme will also include 8,000 sq m of non-residential floorspace in addition to a community hub, community hall and new employment floorspace.

There will be up to 450 car parking spaces, 1,888 new cycle bays, a North/South cycle path through the site, and 200 trees planted. A further 1.2km of new hedging and ecological features contributing to an +85% biodiversity net gain.

The new scheme will deliver buildings with contrasting red, white and flint grey brick. Features will include cantilevered and ornamental balconies, pitched roofs and dormer windows.

The residential element will deliver one, two and three bedroom homes of mixed tenure, the initial phase comprised of 279 market sale, 58 social rent and 16 shared ownership properties.

A further 747 homes are included in the plans, with the final residential mix to be determined through subsequent Reserved Matters applications.

Bob Weston, Chairman of Weston Homes, said: “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.

“We have learnt so much from this project, through going back to the drawing board, consulting locally and designing a domestic scale scheme with features led by the aspirations of the people of Norwich rather than Weston Homes.

“We are looking forward to beginning the delivery of this fantastic new development for the people of Norwich.”