National and local planners have agreed that Norwich and its suburbs will swell to the present size of Nottingham within twenty years. If this happens in an unplanned, piecemeal way it could spoil the quality of life in our community for decades. The Norwich Society believes that at present our local councils show no sign of having the planning apparatus to cope with the enormous changes to come.

In a detailed response (HERE) to the Joint Core Strategy Consultation Report (Issues and Options) produced by Norwich City, Broadland and South Norfolk District Councils, the Norwich Society’s Strategic Planning and Transport Committee describes the report as “over-complicated and produced with, apparently, insufficient local knowledge of the area, its history and landscape. It avoids the difficult issues, makes too many meaninglessly bland statements of good intent, and puts a set of options that are either unarguable or invite a particular set of answers”.

The Society says four major questions are left unanswered by the councils’ document. They must all be answered before any sensible planning for the future is possible. They are:

1. Will the oncoming tide of jobs and houses arrive at the speed and numbers predicted?
2. Can our existing transport network cope? 
3. Will the growth of houses and jobs be concentrated largely in one new settlement or scattered round Greater Norwich in several packets?
4. How will the eventual Plan be delivered?

This Joint Core Strategy is a crucial document for the future of Norwich, and the present consultation is a vital stage in its production. The Society considers that there should be a thorough re-assessment of it before the next Preferred Options stage.

Administrator
Norwich Society February 2008

Committee reference: 07/00995/F Victoria House, Queens Road, Norwich
Marsh UK, Ltd., insurers, owners of Victoria House, an office building on Queens Road (near the entrance to Sainsbury’s supermarket), are proposing a substantial development of the site. An extension of three stories will be made to the existing building and an additional building constructed of between three and six stories with a basement car-park. Planning permission is being sought from Norwich City Council.

This project is now twenty years old and this application is in fact a re-application to obtain permission which has now lapsed. It may be the case that the owners simply want to keep the option open and do not intend immediate action but the Society judges that the proposed buildings will inevitably seem rather dated, given the age of the design. It has accordingly lodged an objection with the City’s Planning Department. It would seek to encourage Marsh UK Ltd. to reconsider its current design and perhaps employ architects capable of producing a more up-to-date design.  This should take account of developments of  business architecture of recent years and produce a landmark scheme which will enhance not just the area but the City as a whole.

If members of the Society have a view on this proposed development and our objection please contact the Society’s Administrator. Her contact details are available from the Contact Us page.

07/01226/F Former Eastern Electricity Board Site Duke Street

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a mixed use development comprising Class A2/B1 offices, Class A3 Restaurants/Cafes, Class A4 Wine Bar, Class A1 retail floorspace, Class D1 Art Gallery, sculpture park and 24 residential dwellings

Committee Comments:
A major development whose many good points are outweighed by the drawbacks. The decision to replace the massive 1956 Eastern Electricity buildings along the river eschews the opportunity to reinstate the older street scene with narrow alleys down to the river from Charing Cross and Westwick Street, since the developers require large office floor plates not otherwise available in Norwich. Moreover the whole building is more massive than the façade which it replaces, rising above the level of the new St Andrews car park and wrap round housing, creating major difficulties as the scheme steps down to Anchor Quay.  As a result, there are no breaks in the river frontage that could bring light through to enhance the river scene and also offer views back into the centre of the site.  This and the intense development off Charing Cross allows little light for the courtyard, narrow and surely poorly lit between over-tall buildings...........For full report click here