Heritage groups call for re-think as uncertainty continues over 拢300m Norwich development

Opponents of a controversial 拢300m mixed-use development in the centre of Norwich have called for a re-think after the government delayed a decision on whether the scheme should go ahead.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick had been expected to rule on the Broadway Malyan scheme (pictured) last week after a four-week public inquiry at the start of the year but his department said the decision had been delayed, leaving the future of the Anglia Square project uncertain.

Broadway Malyan's revised Anglia Square project in Norwich 3

Groups including Historic England and Save Britain鈥檚 Heritage opposed the original scheme, saying the 20-storey tower and other large buildings proposed by Weston Homes and London-based Columbia Threadneedle Investments were likely to cause Norwich city centre 鈥渃alamitous damage鈥.

Last year, the then communities secretary James Brokenshire called in the plans for a residential-led mixed-use scheme featuring 1,200 homes, a cinema, retail space and car parking.

Opponents of the original development have backed an alternative plan by architect Ash Sakula, put forward by Historic England. The revamped scheme would provide 595 homes built around traditional streets and low-rise terraces.

Broadway Malyan鈥檚 proposals, given the go-ahead by Norwich Council in December 2018, include nine blocks of up to 12 storeys, as well as the 20-storey tower.

Henrietta Billings, director of Save Britain鈥檚 Heritage, said: 鈥淎nglia Square could be transformed for the good with a lower-scale development that fits with the grain of Norwich as a magnificent historic city.

鈥淭he alternative scheme shows how this can be achieved. As we battle with covid-19, a 20-storey tower looks increasingly unsustainable as well as out of place in this location.鈥

The government has not given a reason for the delay to its decision.

An MHCLG spokesperson said: 鈥淭he Anglia Square application remains under active consideration. A decision will be made in due course, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.鈥