NORWICH

Updated 19th December 2007

http://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/images/upload/342/1444.jpg

With a burst of activity in the late 90s and early to mid 2000s with places like the Forum, the Riverside development and the Chapelfield shopping mall going up things appeared to have slowed down over the past couple of years, but there's a couple of new projects in the works for Norwich as well as some things in the pipeline for the future.


Anglia Square/Calvert Square

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/assets/images/dynamicfeed/suttonc20071204103100.jpg

http://www.calvertsquare.co.uk/

£100m Redevelopment, turning Anglia Square the 1960s shopping centre into Calvert Square, including new housing, office developments, restaurants, cafes and a new supermarket which will help regenerate the north side of the City centre.

Current Timetable:

Consultation process: 12th – 26th October 2007
Planning application: To be submitted November/December 2007
Archaeological dig: Mid-2008
Demolition work: Starts mid-2008 (provisionally)
Construction work: 2009 – 2011
Completion/opening date: Late 2011


St James Development

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/assets/images/dynamicfeed/ravenp20061103123816.jpg

Just off Barrack Street on the site of the old Jarrold printing works this new £50m mixed use development will include 200 new homes, 20,500 sq m of office space including offices for DEFRA and the Broads Authority built to a high eco standard, restaurants, cafes, shops, a new hotel as well as a new bridge and cycle path next to the river.

Deal Ground and Utilities Site

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/assets/images/dynamicfeed/yallopv20070124110206.jpg

On the south side of Norwich near Norwich City football club and the Broads, this 20 hectare site is currently under consideration by Norwich city council for a number of large projects including a 200 boat marina, concert hall, new housing and new office and retail space. It is thought a decision should be made about the site within the immediate future.

Harford Place

http://www.harfordplacenorwich.com/images/harford_place_site_v2.jpg

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/assets/images/dynamicfeed/ravenp20071207155848.jpg

www.harfordplacenorwich.com

£125m project in the south of the city on the site of a former shoe factory which will include a new art centre, shops, health club, bingo hall and large supermarket. Project should be completed by 2010 pending approval from the city council.

Dukes Wharf

http://business.edp24.co.uk/assets/images/dynamicfeed/yallopv20070425155042.jpg

http://www.dukeswharfnorwich.co.uk/

£60m development on the site of the old Eastern Electricity offices just outside the City Centre on Duke Street. The development will include Office space, Apartments, a Riverside walkway, Resturants and Cafes and a new Art Gallery. Project to start in 2008 pending approval from the City Council.

St Mary's Works

http://business.edp24.co.uk/assets/images/dynamicfeed/yallopv20071214111057.jpg

http://www.stmarysworks.co.uk/

St Mary's Works is a planned development on the current site of St Mary's House and the surrounding land on Duke street/St Crispin's road. If approved it will include a 220-bedroom 4 star Hotel, Apartments and Offices.

YARMOUTH

Updated 13th December 2007

http://www.open2.net/open2static/source/file/root/46/43/191205/gtyarmouthtoday.jpg

East Port

http://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/print/image_(out_harb4).jpg

http://www.eastportuk.co.uk/

New £45m outer harbour being built in Great Yarmouth due to be completed in 2009. The port will handle cargo containers as well as serving ferry destinations in northern Europe. It should create 1,000 new jobs and bring an extra 120,000 people to the area.

The Edge

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/assets/images/dynamicfeed/ravenp20071213151258.jpg

New £35m Leisure complex between the Pleasure Beach and the outer harbour containing a casino, cinema, bowling alley, hotel, restaurants and bars. Currently in the intial stages and undergoing public consultation.

Recently completed projects in Norwich:

Norwich Theatre Royal Refurbishment

http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/images/2006/11/08/theatre_royal_facade_440_440x300.jpg

£10 million refurbishment of the 1300 seat Theatre Royal Norwich.

Cinema City

http://cityscreen.newman.artsalliancemedia.com/static/atchs/Global/zd/zd5ag.jpeg

http://cityscreen.newman.artsalliancemedia.com/static/atchs/Global/xg/xg5qu.jpeg

Redevelopment of Cinema City, Norwich's art house cinema. Closed in 2003 and finished last month. Now contains 3 screens, bigger bar and lounge areas and digital projection.

Norwich Market

http://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/images/upload/342/1762.jpg

http://www.tournorfolk.co.uk/norwich/market.jpg

http://www.architects-alchemist.co.uk/images/norwich-main.jpg

£5m refurbishment of Norwich Market in 2006. It's the largest open air market in the country.

Another project announced today in the south of Norwich:

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=NewsSplash&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=NewsSplash&itemid=NOED07%20Dec%202007%2009%3A27%3A04%3A640

The people of Norwich have given their backing to ambitious multi-million pound plans to regenerate a part of the city which has been underused for years.

Property investment and development company Targetfollow wants to carry out a major £125million regeneration of its three sites on Hall Road, the former Bally shoe factory and T Gill & Son sites and the existing Hall Road Retail Park.

The 21-acre development, called Harford Place, will include a new art centre, health club, bingo hall, children's play area, more than 1,000 car parking spaces and a large supermarket and aims to revitalise the southern part of the city.

Exact details about the new project are being unveiled this week in a series of public meetings in the former shop unit of the Bally shoe factory on Hall Road, Norwich,

And high praise was given to the proposals by those visiting the opening night exhibition yesterday who said the area was crying out for the new development.

Janice Rose, 62, from Tuckswood, said: “From the plans it looks like the Riverside, which would great for this area, it seems funny we would be having something like that here, but the plans as they are very good, if they keep to those, the development will be good for the area. I do think they need to address the idea of having a health centre to cope with the extra people though.”

Arthur and Karen Baker from Hall Road also supported the new development.

Mr Baker, 71, who lives opposite the proposed development said: “I think it is a brilliant idea, I would certainly rather look across at the new buildings they are proposing than the factory site which is here now.”

Mrs Baker added: “It will be nice to have somewhere to shop away from the city and which is right on our doorstep, I am a little concerned if there were any late night opening, but in all I think it will totally rejuvenate the area.”

Members of the public are being asked to complete suggestions forms, being given out at the exhibitions, so their comments can be taken on board. People can also make their views known via the website, www.harfordplacenorwich.com.

One of those giving positive praise to the scheme on his suggestion form, was Nigel Leggett, 49, has lived in Hall Road for six years.

He said: “Having come here and seen the plans, I cannot honestly say anything against it. This is exactly what this site needs, it could not carry on as it was, I think the development is going to kick-start the regeneration of the area and I support it all the way.”

Martin Pearce, 25, a petrol worker from Thorpe St Andrew, said he was excited at the prospect of having an arts centre in the complex. A keen photographer, he liked the layout of the curved roof which is proposed for the arts building.

He said: “In principle I support the development, there are a few things I am worried about, but the fact there will be an arts centre here is great for this part of the city.”

Husband and wife, Jill, and Ernie Stocks from Tuckswood have lived in the area for 50 years and say the development would be a welcome addition to the area.

Mrs Stocks, 70, said: “We have never had anything like this on our side of the city, it is something completely new, it is good we are finally being recognised.”

Mr Stocks, 73, agreed and said the development would be good for families.

He said: “We need something like this here, something that is out of the city, where we can go, where families can be together, if it saves me a trip into the city, I will be glad.”

The exhibitions will continue today from 10am to 6pm and on Saturday from 10am to 1pm.

The proposals, which also include part of the existing Hall Road Retail Park and former T Gill & Sons site, will go before Norwich City Council in spring 2008, and if approved, are due for completion in spring 2010.

Sadly a new eco-town which was proposed for Coltishall near Norwich on the site of the former Airbase will no longer go ahead and will instead be used to build one of the governments new prisons. Definately a wasted opportunity:

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED06%20Dec%202007%2015%3A29%3A47%3A667

RAF Coltishall: Special Report

DAVID BALE
07 December 2007 07:00

After months of uncertainty the government has finally announced that the former RAF Coltishall airbase will become a prison. This means a raft of previously mooted ideas, including an eco-town, business park and immigration centre will now not see light of day. Reporter David Bale visited the Norfolk village to see what people thought of the plans.



For the past 18 months the people of Coltishall have waited with baited breath for final confirmation of what will become of its 750-acre former RAF base.

A massive housing development, waste incinerator, homes for migrant workers, business park and even an eco-town have all been mooted since the sale of the site was revealed last year.

At one point it even appeared likely a detention centre for immigrants would be built there, much to the distaste of families living in the area.

But at last the future of the site appears clearer. Subject to planning permission a category C jail will open within the next few years as part of the government's latest bid to end the long-running crisis in Britain's over-crowded prisons.

As news of the decision spread through the village there were mixed emotions amongst its 1,500-plus inhabitants.

One the one hand many were pleased proposals for an immigration centre will not now materialise.

However, ultimately there was a feeling that the government's decision marked an opportunity wasted.

With the government keen to set up eco-towns in the country as part of its drive to be greener, many would have like to have seen the proposed £9m green development given the go-ahead.

The ambitious scheme by Norfolk developer Richard Davies would have brought with it hundreds of green homes, jobs, an electric bus link and a new broad.

Others, meanwhile, viewed the development as the chance to bring some more investment to the county.

John Harding, chairman of Coltishall Parish Council, said he did not want either an immigration centre or a prison on the site.

He said: “Personally, I think it's a shame to see the site deteriorating, and while something has got to be done, I would ideally have rather seen houses and businesses there.”

His views were echoed by Robin Hewitt, 50, owner of E Hewitt butchers, who said: “At the end of the day the government is going to do what it wants whatever we say. I would have liked to have seen it stay as an airforce base in the first place.”

William Dower, 86, from Horstead, had more reason than most for feeling sad to see the airbase close last year, as he was stationed there for three years in the early 1950s.

He said: “I think the prison is the lesser of two evils. It's better than having an immigration centre there.

“I really don't know what I would have liked to have seen there, but obviously I would like to see them use it for something.

“After serving there I was sad to see it close. It's a bit of a wasted opportunity that an eco-town is not being built there. But having lived on the site I would have been concerned at the problem with roads in the area. They would have had to improve the road system.”

Others were simply pleased that at last a final decision had been made.

Barry Thorpe, a baker at Londis, said: “In a way I'm pleased they are finally doing something there, but it's a bit of a wasted opportunity. Ideally, I would have like to have seen houses built there. I can see the company selling the old MoD houses there having more of a struggle to sell them now.”

In recent months dozens of families have moved into the former MoD homes on the edge of the old airbase, taking advantage of some generously low house prices and tempting extra offers to help them get a foot on the housing ladder.

Many of them were not happy to hear that they would soon be living within spitting distance of a brand new prison.

Anne Huckle, 34, who works as an activities instructor at Whitlingham Outdoor Centre in Trowse, said: “I'm not very happy about it. We thought it was going to be turned into an eco-town which would have been good.”

Dawn Sykes, 34, was the second person to move into the old MoD homes after queuing when they came up for sale earlier this year.

She said: “It does not bother me as much as if it had been an immigration centre, but I would have liked to have seen an eco-town. It's a bit of a waste and, ideally, I would rather have seen it stay as a military camp. But my sister lives near Blundeston prison in Suffolk, and she said she's never had any trouble there.”

A spokeswoman for Annington, the company behind the Annington Fields MoD development at the airbase, said it thought the plans would have minimal impact on house prices in the area.

She said: “We believe it will have minimal impact on the prices or the demand for the former married quarter homes, which are all located off the former base.

“We have successfully sold over 100 homes on the site this year and buyers were clearly not deterred by the previous rumours of an immigration centre. We are still getting a lot of interest in the homes and in the last few weeks, despite speculation about a prison, we have still sold a number of homes.”

Announcing the decision on Wednesday, Mr Straw said it was part of a national prisons review designed to bring an additional 10,500 prison places into use by 2014.

He said he thought local people would be “relieved” at the news a prison would be built at the site rather than an immigration centre and the creation of a prison at the base was a “sensible use”. He also said there was data to prove there would be no impact on house prices near the base.

But the developer behind the eco-scheme, which included a brand new broad, branded the decision “crazy.”

Richard Davies, the 60-year-old son of a north Norfolk fisherman, had the vision of turning the base into a sustainable self-contained community with houses, schooling, employment, and eco-friendly rail bus link to Norwich.

He said: “With a need for more than 8,000 homes in north Norfolk and 7,000 in Broadland, where else are we going to build them?

“There is not room in the existing towns.”

Oh, Nowrich, i miss you...

YAY!! A NORFOLK THREAD!! :happy:

Right, I'm not sure what detailed info I can find, but I'm sure given some time I can think of a few other developments that have been finished recently or are U/C now.

Just along the lines of standard apartments - the obvious ones to start off with are the ones behind Carrow Road by the river. Think they're finished now? I quite like them, they've got those funky multi-coloured lift shaft things!

That Holiday Inn on the corner of the Jarrold/Barclays Stands is hideous though - a complete waste of space. That could be corner seating! and a better hotel!!

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Can't believe the outer harbour is finally being built! Never thought it would happen. A third river crossing (most likely where Beccles Road runs from the bypass to southtown road/the river) is an absolute must now. Haven Bridge and North Quay just will not be able to handle the extra traffic this port could bring if it is successful.

The only other significant building work I know of in Yarmouth is another recently finished block of flats on the Cobham side of the Yare (looking swish - and a nice group of apartment buildings starting to emerge around there), and the houses on St Nicholas Road, which are only notable for the fact they are being built on the site of Garibaldis!!

Just looked at that Calvert Square website - about time Anglia Square got a revamp. Where did you get that picture with the tower on it nuhouse? Can't help but think it looks a little tall, but then again it has a touch of Holland about it, and I like when Norfolk goes all hollandy!

Damn shame about the eco-village planned for Coltishall.

I forgot to mention how good the bus station is. Love it.

Here's a website I just found doing a quick Norwich google. It seems to provide pretty comprehensive news for Norwich Airport, including the recent introduction of a £3 'Development fee' (which I paid when I went to Serbia!) and various route changes/additions.

UK-Airport-News.info (http://www.uk-airport-news.info/norwich-airport-news.htm)

Just looked at that Calvert Square website - about time Anglia Square got a revamp. Where did you get that picture with the tower on it nuhouse? Can't help but think it looks a little tall, but then again it has a touch of Holland about it, and I like when Norfolk goes all hollandy!

Damn shame about the eco-village planned for Coltishall.

It was on the evening news website. I would have provided a few more pictures for all the projects including the recently finished one's but for some reason they all seem to be in short supply.

Also thought about adding the developments next to Carrow road both right next to it and across the river on both sides of Carrow bridge in the old Read Mill warehouse on King street. Will have a scout round to see if I can find any decent info and pictures to post up.

P.S. Anymore info about Yarmouth or any other Norfolk town developments would be great. Not really my area, but i'm sure there has to be a few things going on.

Yeah, jsut the odd thing going up in Yarmouth, no large schemes that I can think of bar the Outer Port. I think a marina would be a great asset for the Cobham area - close to the new flats around there - it would serve the Broads Tourist Trade brilliantly. There were plans mooted for a marina around there a while ago but I'm not sure what became of them.

Was looking on Google Earth yesterday and those flats the other side of the river from Carrow Road look like they're on a big site. Will have to try and find some plans or some such later.

a marina would be a great addition to norwich + norfolk due to the broads boating activities. i would imagine with norwich economy and population/skills-labour pool, that a marina would be amazing architecture wise, even better than lincoln.

really like this part of the country, so very interested to read your developments guys.

buenos proyectos

buenos proyectos

Good projects?

Thatnks very much.

This is all very interesting - thanks. I really enjoyed my visit to Norwich in October when I brought my Dad up for a party in Wymondham. For a city of only 200,000 people it felt much larger, on the scale of somewhere like Nottingham. However, as someone who absolutely loves your fair city (I have very strong family connections with Norfolk), I feel that Chapelfield was a wasted opportunity to recreate a traditional streetscape on a prime site. One of Norwich's great strengths is its independent stores in small streets, such as Timberhill. Walking up Timberhill, I saw signs on shops saying that the expansion of Norwich City Centre had forced them to close. Traditional streets allow small shops to prosper, whereas big multiples are all that can afford to take space in big malls. By contrast, Castle Mall is a nice, compact centre that seems to fit in well with the rest of the centre. Isn't one mall enough? The rest of Norwich seems to have that sort of "metro" feel, which big cities should have, like my home city, Brighton. We only have one covered shopping centre, Churchill Square, which I can't stand, but it doesn't seem to detract from the small shops.

As for Norwich City, I think they put it in the corner because it's next to where the away fans go, and if they had put in seats, they would not have been able to use most of them. It seems a little odd, though, that they put the away fans next to their own noisiest fans.

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=NewsSplash&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=NewsSplash&itemid=NOED13%20Dec%202007%2013%3A57%3A13%3A930

Ambitious plans for £35m leisure complex


Multi-million pound plans to improve Great Yarmouth will kick-start the regeneration of the seaside town, business leaders said today as details of the ambitious scheme were revealed.

The plans for a £35m leisure complex, which will transform the seafront and extend the Golden Mile, come as a host of other schemes are already underway in the resort.

Details of The Edge, boasting a casino, cinema, bowling alley, hotel, restaurants and bars were revealed yesterday and are on show at the town's Priory Centre, Priory Plain today until 8pm.

More than £700,000 has already been invested in the project by Pleasure Beach managing director Albert Jones, who came up with the idea to revitalise wasteland between the Pleasure Beach and the new outer harbour.

Mr Jones said today: “Around 1,000 new jobs will be created and it will house one of the country's leading casinos, a 10-screen cinema, a 22-lane bowling alley, a 180-room hotel and a combination of restaurants and bars.

“It's going to be a 52 weeks of the year business, attracting more visitors not just for us, but for everyone else in Yarmouth.

“And it will be next door to the outer harbour which will be bringing in thousands of tourists from overseas. It's looking good for Yarmouth which is a town on the up.”

There is already outline planning consent for a leisure complex on the former South Denes caravan park and Mr Jones said there had been substantial investment in its design.

The casino proposal is still awaiting details of a government rethink but borough council chiefs are confident proposals will be given the go-ahead soon for eight large casinos including one in Great Yarmouth.

The regeneration of Yarmouth is already underway with a £2m project to transform St George's Park progressing well with new pavements, new lighting, seating, planting, playground equipment and CCTV.

Interim works on transforming St George's Theatre have finished with a £60,000 programme focusing on the eastern end and upgrading fire safety, while a major refurbishment inside and out is still waiting in the wings with officials fine-tuning a major lottery and English Heritage bid expected to run into hundreds of thousands.

And Yarmouth's £45m outer harbour, where work started this summer, will be one of the biggest new port developments to go ahead in the UK in recent years.

Built next to the river port, it will stretch out into the North Sea providing deep water facilities capable of taking a new generation of much bigger vessels and opening up a wealth of trade possibilities.

These plans look very exciting, that area has been a wasteland (literally and metaphorically speaking) for as long as I can remember. The town is crying out for a better standard of year round facilities, to attract year round tourists but also to serve the permanent population. Decent bowling, cinema, restaurants and bars are extremely limited in the town at present, and you really have to travel to Norwich for a decent night. Or stay in. So these are very welcome. Bit off the beaten track though, its a good half hour walk to that end of town from the centre.

Hey there, thank you for starting a Norwich thread, some interesting developments going on and in the pipeline. It's great to see that Anglia Square is finally getting redeveloped - do you know if this is definately happening or just a possibility?

I also have to agree with SussexAlbion that the Chapelfield Centre was a wasted opportunity, I was very disappointed when i first saw it and could have been made 'more Norwich' rather than an identikit shopping mall.

Keep up the good work and if I find any new developments going on I'll make sure I post them on here

You know, I never considered the option of creating a 'traditional' street environment on chappelfield. It could have been nice, but then again, its difficult to produce that kind of thing without original style buildings already in existence. Building tightly knit small scale street environments from scratch is trickier than it sounds IMO, never really seen anything like that done properly before.

I quite like Chappelfield for its modern feel. As great as Norwich shopping was pre-chapppelfield, I do think it lacked those absolute top-class retail units.

Does anyone find the city a bit quiter now, ie. is Norwich near saturation point for retail?

You know, I never considered the option of creating a 'traditional' street environment on chappelfield. It could have been nice, but then again, its difficult to produce that kind of thing without original style buildings already in existence. Building tightly knit small scale street environments from scratch is trickier than it sounds IMO, never really seen anything like that done properly before.

I quite like Chappelfield for its modern feel. As great as Norwich shopping was pre-chapppelfield, I do think it lacked those absolute top-class retail units.

Does anyone find the city a bit quiter now, ie. is Norwich near saturation point for retail?

I quite like Chapelfield as well. As you say it caters for the 'higher end' of the market, which was definately needed in Norwich. As for other shops closing down in the city centre well there has been 1 or 2 however there has also been a flurry of new shops opening in the 'Norwich lanes' area. Quite a few new funky clothes and shoes boutique type shops. As for retail generally in Norwich I definately believe we've reached the zenith. I can't see any further major expansion in the city centre, which is fine because Norwich does excellently compared to many other places in the UK.

Hey there, thank you for starting a Norwich thread, some interesting developments going on and in the pipeline. It's great to see that Anglia Square is finally getting redeveloped - do you know if this is definately happening or just a possibility?

Anglia Square's definately happening. As far as I understand, it's being redeveloped in 2 phases. The first 1 is what's shown. The 2nd has yet to be worked out yet but I believe it could have something to do with the Hollywood Cinema and the retail units facing onto Magdalen street which are being left in place in phase 1.

^^ Thanks for confirming that for me.

Overall I think Chapelfield has had a positive effect and for shopping, Norwich is fantastic.

It wasn't the shops that disappointed me, I think I was just diappointed with what Chapelfield turned out to be after all the hype that went with it, maybe I was expecting too much.

It is difficult to see Norwich with even more shops or shoping centres. I think London Street suffered a little immediately after Chapelfields and there were a few empty shops about, but overall the city looks pretty healthy.

By the way for those who are interested, a couple of great sites with some fantastic pictures of Norwich on:

http://www.tournorfolk.co.uk/norwich.html
http://www.norwichdailyphoto.com/

I'll be taking my camera home with me as always, so expect a few pics of Yarmouth and Norwich after the new year!

Just found this. Something called Dukes Wharf. Anyone know anything? Like where this is? I'm not familiar with a Dukes Wharf.

--------------------------------------------------------

Morgan Levell, 30-10-2007 (http://www.morganlovell.co.uk/office-design-news/office-designs-submitted-for-norwich-development$18335423)

Office designs submitted for Norwich development



Plans have been proposed for an office and leisure scheme in Norwich.

The £60 million Duke's Wharf development will also include restaurants, residential accommodation, shops, an art gallery and office facilities.

If approval is granted, work on the former Eastern Electricity site is expected to begin in early 2008.

Developer Targetfellow is hoping to entice a number of firms and leisure operators to move into the new office layout.

James Smith, development manager for Targetfellow, told BIZOnline: "We believe the planning application submitted reflects not only what Norwich needs in order to maintain and enhance its business environment within the city centre but will also result in a new high-quality destination for people to live and visit the cafes and restaurants."

^^ It's around the Duke Street area (St Andrews Car Park), Just north of the city centre. Found this presentation on the project

http://www.dukeswharfnorwich.co.uk/downloads/Dukes%20Wharf%20Presentation.pdf

Norwich is a beautiful City, and whilst many of the East Anlgian seaside towns are run down, Norwich remains a gem and possibly the nicest place I've ever lived (St.Giles)

Hmm, just looking at that presentation for Dukes Wharf - I have to question the need to demolish as much as they are. I can perhaps understand the demolition of the riverfront building (although I think something could be done with it) but I don't like the fact the two fairly attractive buildings on Duke Street look to be for the chop, to be replaced by some pretty standard modern blocks.

I'd completely missed the Dukes wharf development so thanks for posting it up. I'll add it to the main list.

Right i'm confused now. In my searching for more info about Dukes Wharf i've come up with this:

http://business.edp24.co.uk/story.aspx?brand=BIZOnline&category=Business&tBrand=BIZOnline&tCategory=homepage&itemid=NOED13%20Dec%202007%2018%3A18%3A46%3A750

This looks like another project near the Dukes Wharf Development, on the current site of St Mary's house.

http://www.stmarysworks.co.uk/

lol, put them both up then! Nice to see inadequate office space making way for better office space and other uses.

Looks like the whole of Duke Street is being fitted out! It has looked a bit drab for years now so hopefully it will breathe some life and new space into the area.

I agree that it is a shame that they deem it necessary to demolish some of the existing buildings instead of refurbishing them as some of them aren't that bad and I'm sure they could have incorporated them into the plan somehow. I couldn't see a timeline for St Mary's but hopefully they will both be completed around the same time as each other.

I always knew that despite the lack of tall buildings Norwich was seeing plenty of developments, I'm glad we've got a place on here to document them all!

I did try making some Norfolk threads before (see links at the bottom of the page) but I never had the info!

Not exactly construction news but fairly interesting nonetheless. I'm just slightly curious whereabouts the hotel will be located?

http://new.edp24.co.uk/search/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&itemid=NOED17%20Dec%202007%2018:33:08:773&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=search

I forgot to take my camera into Norwich when I went - was too busy making the most of all the clothes stores - nothing like it in Sheffield.

I did grab a few shots of Yarmouth:

St Nicholas' Parish Church. One of the best parish churchs in the country i reckon, it would be brilliant if it still had its spire.

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v159/114/0/279202304/n279202304_1389264_3999.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v159/114/0/279202304/n279202304_1389267_4707.jpg


Top of the market from Church Plain.

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v159/114/0/279202304/n279202304_1389265_4253.jpg


The Kings Arms, my friends local, and its a lovely pub.

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v159/114/0/279202304/n279202304_1389266_4472.jpg


A few of the iron bridge across the bure. Unsuprisingly I hate the station gateway at Great Yarmouth - like everyone else I suppose - and I'd love to see it refurbished big style. As part of that I think the iron bridge could make a fantastic approach, though I'm not sure where it stands in terms of stability and condition. Looks like its rusting to hell.

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Finally the two recent apartment blocks on the Cobham side of the Yare just beside the Haven Bridge.

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Are they Yarmouths tallest buildings then Andrew ?

Never Been there yet i think, but went to Norwich last year and was Impressed with it, centre was a lot better than expected. Mainly went to look at the Castle and shopping center next door, built into the hill side.
:)

Sounds like you just scraped the surface of the shopping area bulldozer. The other good places to head are towards the market, chappelfield and the lanes, north of the market place.

As for Yarmouth, no they're not the tallest in yarmouth, there's plenty of buildings which arer just as tall! Haven Bridge house is the tallest proper habitable block, although I think the Oasis Tower (An observation deck) on top of the Oasis Hotel/Atlantis Hotel comes up slightly taller overall. Like most seaside resorts, there's also a number of hotels and blocks along the seafront which are 4/5 stories at least.

Saw the Beach Hut market stalls and a Old fashioned proper Toy shop :), And some Shops that Looked like they were built in Barns.

:wave: Happy New Year Norwich!

Nothing quite like standing in front of City Hall watching the fireworks over the Castle as a youngster!

A quick note RE: Chapelfield damaging the custom of smaller shops based in the lanes and backstreets of Norwich - I went shopping in the sales in Norwich on Friday I think it was. I spent about an hour and a half looking round the clothes stores at the top end of the centre - I never realised how many there were around there, on both floors. And so many stores that you just don't see in places like Sheffield and other bigger but worse performing retail centres.

But far from satisfying my desire for clothes shops, it actually made me want to go off to the Bedford st and the surrounding area even more for its smaller fashion stores such as cult and blue jean store, and the other local stores. Perhaps its different for me coming in from Sheffield where you just don't get anything but H&M and Topman and a literally a couple of independant clothes stores, perhaps for Norwich residents it is a straight choice between Chapelfield or the smaller stores, but I can't say any of the stores around Bedford st looked like they were about to go out of business. I would really like to see their finances to get a genuine picture of how things have been going the last year.

I do however think we are now at the point where too much more retail without a relative increase in population is going to damage the feel and quality of the city centre. Looking at things like Harford Place and the revamp of Anglia Square, these are developments that are going to encourage people living around them to shop out of town instead of in the city. But this is one of the reasons that Norwich has thrived the last 20 years - its shopping centres that were almost a must for earliy 1990's city centres were built in central integrated locations that enhanced the centre (Castle Mall), as opposed to places like Sheffield where out-of-town shopping centres like Meadowhall nearly killed the city centre. I'd hate for these large scale improvements of local suburban centres to undo the good work and development ethic in Norwich of the last 20 years.

A quick note RE: Chapelfield damaging the custom of smaller shops based in the lanes and backstreets of Norwich - I went shopping in the sales in Norwich on Friday I think it was. I spent about an hour and a half looking round the clothes stores at the top end of the centre - I never realised how many there were around there, on both floors. And so many stores that you just don't see in places like Sheffield and other bigger but worse performing retail centres.

But far from satisfying my desire for clothes shops, it actually made me want to go off to the Bedford st and the surrounding area even more for its smaller fashion stores such as cult and blue jean store, and the other local stores. Perhaps its different for me coming in from Sheffield where you just don't get anything but H&M and Topman and a literally a couple of independant clothes stores, perhaps for Norwich residents it is a straight choice between Chapelfield or the smaller stores, but I can't say any of the stores around Bedford st looked like they were about to go out of business. I would really like to see their finances to get a genuine picture of how things have been going the last year.

I do however think we are now at the point where too much more retail without a relative increase in population is going to damage the feel and quality of the city centre. Looking at things like Harford Place and the revamp of Anglia Square, these are developments that are going to encourage people living around them to shop out of town instead of in the city. But this is one of the reasons that Norwich has thrived the last 20 years - its shopping centres that were almost a must for earliy 1990's city centres were built in central integrated locations that enhanced the centre (Castle Mall), as opposed to places like Sheffield where out-of-town shopping centres like Meadowhall nearly killed the city centre. I'd hate for these large scale improvements of local suburban centres to undo the good work and development ethic in Norwich of the last 20 years.

Some good points. Whenever I go into the city to do some shopping I usually end up visiting both Castle Mall, Gentlemans Walk/'Lanes' area and then Chapelfield. Always nice having the choice to visit mainstream retailers as well as independant shops. As for some shops closing down in the Lanes area it should be added that quite a few actually closed down not because of Chapelfield but because of the City Councils cock up over rebuilding St Andrew's car park. It took them a lot longer than expected and the 'footfall' in that area of the city was well down on what it should have been.

As for the new developments from what i've seen I don't believe they'll have a significant impact on the city centre. Anglia square already has retail (albeit a bit run down) and the major development there will be a supermarket. From what I can gather the other new developments will only have a small amount of retail, presumably local shops and 1 or 2 clothes shops etc, but nothing to really make a dent in city centre trade.

Regarding rising population in the Norwich area I got a leaflet through my door about a month ago from the 'Greater Norwich Development Partnership' which is basically a conglomeration of a few district councils in the Greater Norwich area. Interesting read about future population growth, housing, transport as well as the environment. Info can be found here: http://www.eastspace.net/gndp/

Woo, cheers for that Nuhouse. I'll give it a proper read soon.

This reminds me of some other stuff I have actually. My nan gave me her copy of the consultation document for the Northern Bypass. One of the routes of the eastern section passes right over my aunt's house! Think its the yellow one.

Great to see a Norfolk and Norwich thread. I am based in the East Midlands but most of my inlaws are Norfolk based and love visiting the city whenever we are there. The plans for Anglia Square are about time.

Not really development related but I thought it was worth an important mention. Norwich puppet theatre is under threat of closure due to it's funding being stopped by the art's council. Went there a couple of times as a kid and it's a great resource for Norwich as a whole, it would be a massive shame to lose it. Send an e-mail to the art's council if you can telling them to reinstate the funding or sign the petition.

http://www.puppettheatre.co.uk/

Petition: http://www.edp24.co.uk/Quask/puppettheatre.htm

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=NewsSplash&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=NewsSplash&itemid=NOED03%20Jan%202008%2008%3A17%3A58%3A650

Help save our puppet theatre

PETER WALSH, TRACEY GRAY
03 January 2008 11:00

A rallying cry was today issued to the people of Norwich to help save one of our true gems.

The future of Norwich Puppet Theatre is in doubt after it was informed of potentially devastating funding cuts.

Even though it entertains and educates more than 10,000 people every year, many of them children, funding body the Arts Council England (ACE) has deemed the theatre to be undeserving of its continued support.

It is proposing to axe the £60,000 a year it hands to the Whitefriars theatre, which is vital for it to thrive.

However, today the Evening News, backed by council leaders, MPs and members of Norwich's vibrant arts scene, launched a campaign to urge ACE to reverse its proposal.

Readers were today urged to write in or email with their support or to add their names to the online petition. All responses will be sent to ACE ahead of its crunch meeting on January 23.

Roy Blower, Lord Mayor of Norwich, said today: “I think it brings so much joy to young people and older people as well. It's a focal point in our area and anything that can be done to make the Arts Council review the decision would be welcomed.

“I'm sure all people, young and old, would be very sad at the decision by the arts council if they were to take funding away.”

Dr Ian Gibson, MP for Norwich North, said: “The theatre is a UK-wide and internationally recognised organisation and to see it lost would stall Norwich in its ability in the creative arts.

“It is a star organisation in our city and the people who work there are enthusiastic and keen, it would be a disgrace to lose these talents.”

The theatre was opened in 1980 and, as well as hosting popular puppet shows it has become a vital educational tool and a regular destination for school trips.

It is a base for people to train in and learn the art of puppetry. Many have gone on to set up their own touring companies, and work in television shows such as Spitting Image.

In the past two years it has hosted the Norwich International Puppet Festival, attracting the best talent from around the world.

It costs around £180,000 to keep the theatre running, £60,000 of which comes from ACE and the rest through Norwich City and Norfolk County Council grants, ticket sales and one-off payouts.

However, the theatre is one of 195 arts institutions that could lose their funding from the Arts Council in plans which have been condemned throughout the industry.

Ian Woods, general manager of the theatre, said today that if the cuts were given the go-ahead the consequences could be dire.

He said: “The Puppet Theatre is too special to lose, and we are all working to making a positive submission to the Arts Council to encourage a rethink on our potential grant cut.

“With 27 years of entertaining, educating and enthralling children and families it really is a jewel in the cultural provision of Norwich as well as being a nationally and internationally significant player in the world of puppetry.

“I was stunned and saddened when I opened the letter from the Arts Council, but have been heartened by the support from staff, the board, volunteers and our customers to find ways to encourage the Arts Council to change their funding decision, and to keep the Puppet Theatre going.”

ACE has also been criticised for only informing groups now of its intentions - not giving them long enough to come up with alternative avenues of funding.

Our campaign has was today backed by other arts chiefs in Norwich, who believe the decision goes against ACE's own aims of supporting diversity and encouraging creativity.

Peter Wilson, chief executive of Norwich Theatre Royal, said: “The bullying and cowardly process by which these cuts are to be imposed is the direct opposite of the Arts Council's own declared aims of involving a wider range of voices.

“It is a further disgrace that nowhere on the Arts Council's own websites can a comprehensive list of these brutal cuts be found, or even mentioned.

“I was trained in the subsidised system, have supported it through some rough times and believe in the principle. I have never been so ashamed of its actions.”

Margaret Dixon, from the Great Hall Theatre Group, which holds performances in Theatre Street, Norwich, said: “When you rely on grants like this, when they are cut it is devastating, and especially with a unique venue like the puppet theatre.”

Steve Morphew, leader of Norwich City Council, said: “We want to see the money found and the puppet theatre having a thriving and successful future and welcome the fact the Evening News is getting behind them. It's a unique and valuable asset - we want to see it survive.”

Rona Shanahan, who lives near Aylsham, regularly goes to the theatre with her children.

She said: “I'm really shocked to hear there there's a threat of closure for this theatre because I have always thought it was very special.

“My family have been coming here for about five years and we come and see just about everything.

“I think it's unique, absolutely unique. There's some very artistic and original and creative thinking going on behind it, which has always impressed us.”

It emerged last month that groups such as orchestras and theatres which rely on government money could suffer a £500,000 cut in funding when ACE announces its investment in the arts for 2008.

ACE insisted the decisions “have not been taken lightly” and form part of a broader strategy which will see around 80 new organisations, including more than 20 theatre companies, joining its portfolio of regularly funded organisations.

Meanwhile, 746 groups will receive an inflationary increase or better.

ACE declined to go into detail as to why the theatre was chosen for the cut-backs, but said its plans were designed to concentrate its funding on “organisations of excellence" while penalising the average.

A spokesman said: “In the majority of cases this has been decided on the basis of well documented issues with poor performance. It is the strength of artistic output."

On criticism of the last minute timing of the announcement, Alex Taylor, communications officer at Arts Council England East, added: “We did not get notice from the government about what our spending allocations for the year would be until quite late on in the year.

“We sent the notices out on December 13 as soon as we could to give the organisations enough notice, it is just unfortunate this was around Christmas time.”

To see an exclusive video report, including an interview with the theatre's general manager, log onto www.eveningnews24.co.uk

To add your support to the campaign fill in the coupon and send it to the address below or sign our online petition at www.eveningnews24.co.uk

If you want to add your views write to the Evening News, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED03%20Jan%202008%2008%3A17%3A06%3A117

Why theatre should be saved

TRACEY GRAY
03 January 2008 11:00

Ten reasons why the puppet theatre should be saved

- It is one of only two dedicated puppet companies for children in the country.

- It is the only theatre in the Eastern region which has a year-round programme of family-centred entertainment.

- The theatre acts as an ambassador for Norwich and the UK both abroad, in touring in countries like Finland, Spain, Mexico and Canada, and as a host to touring companies from overseas.

- The theatre plays host to a variety of other touring companies from Britain and overseas, featuring the best of British and international theatre of animation.

- It is a base for educational learning and hosts the City & Guilds courses in basic and advanced puppet making in partnership with Norfolk Adult Education, Wensum Lodge. The four term course runs on Tuesday evenings.

- The theatre also arranges workshops for groups, including schools, brownies, and scouts, both at the theatre and off-site and hosts workshops for anyone aged five and over.

- The theatre is an important part of the community, as well as a custodian for an art form and profession for the whole of the country.

- It has played host to number of famous faces including famous French mime artist Marcel Marceau and its patrons include children's author Roald Dahl and actor Richard Briers.

- It has also helped launch the careers of puppeteers allowing them to take their shows around the world.

- It plays host to the Norwich International Festival of Puppet Theatre, which is another important addition to the city's cultural calendar.

History of the theatre

Norwich Puppet Theatre was founded in 1979 by Ray and Joan DaSilva as a permanent base for their touring company and was first opened as a public venue in 1980, following the conversion of the medieval church of St. James in the heart of Norwich.

Ray, born in 1933, developed a keen interest in conjuring and puppet theatre while still at school at Wisbech in Cambridgeshire. In 1951 he received publicity on his early admission to the Magic Circle and became very busy presenting shows for local organisations.

His interest was shared by Joan - who was a dancer in a local touring group and whom he married in 1954. They took their puppet performances to Ontario, in Canada, before moving back to England in 1962 and carrying on with the shows in Morecombe and Scarborough.

In 1978, the company moved from its base in Cambridgeshire to Norwich and the conversion of the mediaeval church began.

The couple retired from the company in 1986 leaving the theatre to stand on its own feet, under the guidance of artistic directors - first Barry Smith and now Luis Z. Boy.

The theatre has previously had to evade closure threats, most notably in November 1987 when the city's businesses were urged to help the theatre to help tide it over until more funding could be found that summer.

In October 2005 the theatre celebrated its 25th anniversary, hosting a week long series of shows with international companies and performers from Spain, Catalonia, France, Portugal, Japan, Slovak Republic, India, Argentina, Russia and the UK.

The success of the 2005 festival lead to the beginnings of a biannual event - with the 2nd International Festival of Puppet Theatre which took place in October last year - featuring companies from Catalonia, Portugal, Hungary, Slovenia, Argentina, UK, Cuba and Sweden.

The theatre currently houses a 197-seat auditorium, 50 seat Octagon Studio, workshops, an exhibition gallery, shop and licensed bar.

Shows from the theatre's current repertoire are The Selfish Giant, Pinocchio, Jack & the Beanstalk, Harlequin, Snow White, Thumbelina and the Emperor's New Clothes.



The Arts Council and its funding

The Arts Council England is in charge of handing out government support to the arts. It is also responsible for distributing lottery funding.

Arts Council England is a national council of 14 members including the chairman Sir Christopher Frayling. The national council meets 5-6 times a year and is made up of representatives of the arts community with nine of the members also representing the regional councils, and one seat reserved for a representative of the Black and Asian community.

The Arts Council England divides its funding into different categories including, combined art, dance, education, literature, music, research, theatre, touring and visual arts.

Nationally nearly 200 arts organisations, including 37 theatre companies, have bee told they are to lose funding from the council.

The council insists the decisions “have not been taken lightly” and form part of a broader strategy that will see around 80 new organisations, including more than 20 theatre companies, joining its portfolio of regularly funded organisations.

Meanwhile, 746 groups will receive an inflationary increase or better. ACE also claims that of the 195 cut companies, several are being reorganised or combined, and the real figure of those losing subsidy is closer to 160. The news has been greeted with dismay and anger from the industry.

The annual turnover of the theatre is around £180,000, the majority of which is used to fund the shows and pay staff.

A third of this comes from the Arts Council, £15,000 from Norfolk County Council and £12,500 Norwich City Council.

The rest comes from revenue generated from ticket sales and one of grants for special projects.

If the funding for the theatre goes, it is not known where the theatre would go to for the extra cash.

Ian Woods, general manager of the puppet theatre, said they had been in touch with Norwich City and Norfolk County Council, but were unlikely to receive extra funding from these.

He said if the funding was cut, they would have to explore the potential of commercial sponsorship for the theatre or possibly joining forces with other theatres in the city.

^^ Done. It is a unique asset to the city of Norwich and it will be a shame to lose it. I believe that it has been under threat of closure in the past so hopefully a way shall be found to keep it open.

I'll be signing the petition later - I'm sure I've been when I was a kid, but its definitely something I never hear other cities boast about, cos I'm not sure they have one!

BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/7170264.stm)

Affordable homes funding secured

Government funding has been secured for the development of 1,800 new homes in the greater Norwich area.

The £62m grant will enable affordable homes to be built in the Norwich, South Norfolk and Broadlands areas, Norwich City Council has said. The proposals will see housing associations working alongside the council to build the new homes over the next three years.

Environmental impact will be minimised in the development, the council said. The money was provided by the government through the Housing Corporation.

Councillor Steve Morphew, leader of Norwich City Council, said: "This is only the start of a great deal of effort. "The Housing Corporation has very high expectations of what they will get for this money, and there is a shortage of suitable and affordable land."

Wow big news today regarding City College:

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=NewsSplash&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=NewsSplash&itemid=NOED05%20Jan%202008%2008%3A32%3A33%3A517

College's £215m revamp plans

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Norwich City College bosses have today unveiled plans for it to be demolished to make way for a £215million “world class facility”.

Over the next six years the college's Ipswich Road site will be totally redeveloped to make way for state-of-the-art facilities as well as a hotel, restaurant, swimming pool, gym and health and beauty shop and two-storey car park.

It is hoped that by 2015 the plan would increase the college's capacity from 16,000 to 20,000 students.

College leaders said the project, expected to take six years to complete, would provide Norfolk's youngsters with “world-class skills”.

The plans are a much needed shot in the arm for education in the city, which has come in for regular criticism in recent years.

Unveiling the exciting proposals, Dick Palmer, principal of the college, said: “A world-class city like Norwich needs a highly skilled workforce to enable it to compete - but Norwich will fall behind if we do not provide our young people with world class skills.

“In the future we simply cannot afford to waste the talents of any of our young people. The economic needs of the country are changing and people will need to have the high skills needed to secure good jobs. That is why we need to invest in world class facilities now, to give future generations in Norwich and Norfolk the best possible learning environment to acquire those skills and to ensure a bright economic future for the region.”

College bosses plan to put in an application for outline planning permission to Norwich City Council in March, but beforehand will be holding consultations with the public and staff.

Plans unveiled yesterday show that even its iconic Norwich Building, which has fronted the facility for more than 50 years, will not be spared.

Initially the reconstruction of the college will take place in two phases. The first stage is planned to finish by 2012, costing £96.4m and will involve work at both ends of the campus. The current sixth form centre and the halls of residence will be demolished and replaced with new buildings for the school of technology, the school of creative arts and school of hair beauty and leisure. An energy centre is also planned to make the best use of green technology.

A new partially underground car park for 650 vehicles will also be built. However, while the work is taking place there will be on-site parking only for disabled students and visitors at the front of the Norwich building entrance of the college.

Under phase two of the development, which should be completed by 2015 and cost £76.4m, a new hotel school with a hotel and restaurant open to the public will be opened, together with a new building housing the school of health, social care and early education and teaching and learning space.

A third phase, costing £42.7million, will be in the planning application but will only be built if demand for the college continues to grow.

The new buildings will also all be carbon neutral, designed to optimise natural light and ventilation and use ground source heat pumps.

The £215million total is excluding inflation - meaning the real cost if it goes ahead could be more than £300million.

It is hoped the funding for the first phase of the project will come from the Learning and Skills Council and from a variety of other sources for the second phase.

Mr Palmer added: “We want to create a world-class campus, one that inspires and motivates out students, one that the local community can look on with pride - a flagship for Norwich and Norfolk.

“We have been at the forefront of providing world-class skills for local employers, but we need a new campus to equip us to deliver the highly-skilled workforce that Norwich and Norfolk will require to compete and prosper in the 21st century's global economy.”

Mr Palmer said the total rebuild of the college was needed because of a number of factors, including:

the introduction of 17 diplomas for 14 to 19-year-olds, which will see many teenagers spending at least one day a week learning at college;

a huge expansion of apprenticeships and degree-level qualifications;

the growing population of the city, with more than 30,000 new homes planned;

a free right to return to learning up to A-level at any age up to 25;

the change in the compulsory education age to 18 by 2013.

The plans also mean there will temporarily be no student accommodation at the site, although bosses at the college have said they will be looking into places where alternate accommodation can be found for the 50 or so mostly overseas students who currently live on campus.

City College has occupied the 77,250 square metre site just south of the city for more than 55 years, with the constriction of the site being interrupted initially by the onset of the Second World War.

A consultation period has been launched with college bosses saying they want to work with members of the public to try and ensure minimal disruption whilst the work is ongoing.

What do you think of the plans? Write to Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1REE, email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk or log on to www.eveningnews24.co.uk/forums

Blimey, seems like a big desicion to demolish the whole site, including the main building which is a bit of a landmark on that road. But if it means world-class facilities I can understand the aim of the project. Just seems a shame to lose the whole place.

Blimey, seems like a big desicion to demolish the whole site, including the main building which is a bit of a landmark on that road. But if it means world-class facilities I can understand the aim of the project. Just seems a shame to lose the whole place.


Yeah I know what you mean. I was at City College for a couple of years so I know the main building well. That being said I wouldn't be too sad to see it go if it means some brilliant new facilities in place.

That's great news for the city.

I don't want to come across as negative and I appreciate it is only a small and not a full detailed picture, but it doesn't look like they have pushed the envelope in the design. I hope that I am proved wrong and in any case I'm sure the facilities that shall be provided outweigh the design of the building.

This has only got to be a good thing for Norwich and shows the willingness of further development.

Yes, and I like the idea of Norwich futhering itself as a centre of exellent education too. That willonly mean good things in the future.

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED08%20Jan%202008%2012%3A51%3A44%3A670

Facelift for Yarmouth's Victoria Arcade

LUCY BOLTON
08 January 2008 12:51

Shoppers in Great Yarmouth will soon be able to benefit from a “revitalised” Victoria Arcade.

The shopping centre in the town will be given a £300,000 face lift due to finish by May.

Work to upgrade Victoria Arcade begins this month to the “principal tourist attraction” in the town centre and there will be improvements to the entrances to the building, install fully glazed units with feature lighting and carry out restoration work on the glazed roof.

New shop signage will also be installed throughout the arcade and general decorative works will improve the overall look of the centre.

The money for the work has been secured between Miller Developments Ltd and sister company ISG Jackson Special Projects.

Stuart Talbot, divisional director for ISG Jackson Special Projects, said: “Victoria Arcade is a bustling retail centre and we have carefully phased the project, and will be carrying out some out of hours working to ensure that we minimise any potential disruption for both traders and members of the public.

“Key investment in Great Yarmouth's retail provision will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the town as both a shopping and tourist destination and we are delighted to be playing such a key role in this ongoing regeneration project.”

ISG Jackson Special Projects is currently working on the £7.8m extension to the Market Gates Shopping Centre.

^^ Good News



Bad News >> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/7176019.stm

Road plan held up over bid probe

The opening date of a bypass to the north of Norwich is likely to be delayed following a government probe into the building contract.
Norfolk County Council agreed to hand the Northern Distributor Road contract - worth £91m in 2006 - to May Gurney.

However, the Department for Transport (DfT) said the process was illegal and has ordered the contract is offered out for road builders to bid for the work.

Norfolk County Council said it acted to reduce costs and construction times.

Adrian Gunson, cabinet member for planning and transportation, said: "If we give it to one contractor it saves time and money.

"If that contractor is one we have worked with for a number of years then it can be argued that they know what we want and we know what they are capable of.

"If on the other hand we do not give it to one contractor, then it takes time and it bound to cost more money and it delays the process."

Ian Findlater, from May Gurney, said: "We share Norfolk County Council's frustration about this but are keen to take part in the tender process in due course.

"It's a shame that the DfT's position will delay the NDR by up to two years and undoubtedly end up increasing the cost of this badly needed project."

I only just recently caught up with the Northern Bypass plans - i've not looked at them for ages - and I see its not going to connect with the A47 west of the city, instead just merging with the Fakenham road.

This is a huge mistake, one of the main reasons for this NDR is to facilitate traffic from the A11 and the rest of the country in getting to Norwich International Airport - the one major link that is now NOT being created by this new road. A very interesting decision. And for what? The Wensum valley is beautiful but at what price are we protecting that area of countryside?

With all the problems and apparent legal issues that they have faced with the NDR, it does seem that they are trying to save face by building ‘something’ going ‘somewhere’. However, without the link to the A47, the way I see it (and I admit I could be wrong) the whole point of the project in the first place is being missed.

I would like to understand this better, so of someone could explain the reason for the ‘bypass’ without the link to the A47 that would be great!

I would still prefer to have at least one decent road leading out of Norwich to the rest of ht country instead of having embarrassingly single lane roads hitting roundabouts every ½ mile.

Well, the eastern section of the road will serve some purpose for residents of Yarmouth. I myself have a lot of family across the North East of Norwich and this will make car journeys there much easier. Perhaps new P+R or existing P+R across the north will also be better utilised by shoppers from the Yarmouth area because of that connection too.

Thats about the only positive I can think of really :(

This is a huge mistake, one of the main reasons for this NDR is to facilitate traffic from the A11 and the rest of the country in getting to Norwich International Airport - the one major link that is now NOT being created by this new road. A very interesting decision. And for what? The Wensum valley is beautiful but at what price are we protecting that area of countryside?

Gotta say I disagree on this. I'm in favour of the NDR but not at the expense of going through the Wensum valley. It's an area of great natural beauty and a big wildlife haven. It's ashame we won't have a full 'M25' style orbital route around Norwich but I wouldn't want to see an area of countryside like that going under concrete. I think a lot of the reason people come to Norwich is not just that it's a great city but it has some beautiful countryside around it. If we start losing that then I think we start losing a part of what makes Norwich so special.

The area in question is indeed very pretty and I can only go on what I have read about it being a nature hotspot and even a habitat to endangered species etc, if this is the case then the area should be protected and never built on. However I am sometimes sceptical that these sort of reports are exaggerated and posted by NIMBY's

I have to assume that the scheme is actually required either now or in the foreseeable future otherwise it wouldn't have been proposed in the first place. If we can ‘get away’ with just building part of the route then that’s great, but I feel not going through the Wensum Valley could cause problems elsewhere.

People do come to Norwich because of its surrounding countryside - but that doesn’t mean we can’t improve our own infrastructure if it is required. At any rate, I’m sure most tourists go to the broads and North Norfolk rather then the immediate countryside around Norwich (although that's not an excuse to concrete the area).

The southern bypass was built over quiet and ‘idyllic’ countryside and by picturesque lakes (near where I live), but it was still built because it was needed.

Going back to the Puppet Theatre, found this on the Evening News

"County councillors today backed the campaign to stop the theatre from losing out and members of the opposition Labour group suggested the county council itself could step in to help.

George Nobbs, county councillor for the city's Crome ward and Labour spokesman for culture will, at a full council meeting later this month, call on the county council's property and services arm - the Norse Group - to make a donation to tide the theatre over for a year while it concentrates on finding other funding streams."

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=News&itemid=NOED09%20Jan%202008%2013%3A38%3A36%3A740

The area in question is indeed very pretty and I can only go on what I have read about it being a nature hotspot and even a habitat to endangered species etc, if this is the case then the area should be protected and never built on. However I am sometimes sceptical that these sort of reports are exaggerated and posted by NIMBY's

I have to assume that the scheme is actually required either now or in the foreseeable future otherwise it wouldn't have been proposed in the first place. If we can ‘get away’ with just building part of the route then that’s great, but I feel not going through the Wensum Valley could cause problems elsewhere.

People do come to Norwich because of its surrounding countryside - but that doesn’t mean we can’t improve our own infrastructure if it is required. At any rate, I’m sure most tourists go to the broads and North Norfolk rather then the immediate countryside around Norwich (although that's not an excuse to concrete the area).

The southern bypass was built over quiet and ‘idyllic’ countryside and by picturesque lakes (near where I live), but it was still built because it was needed.


I agree with you completely about the southern bypass, I live on the broads not far from it as well and it's a route I use on a daily basis. But I believe the Wensum valley would be a step too far. It's a difficult issue to be honest. I had read suggestions about a link being built past the Wensum valley to connect to the A47 at Attleborough. But obviously thats a good 10 miles or so away from where it ideally needs to be. There is also talk about a single carriageway to connect to the southern bypass which seems to have gained some favour. Obviously with a 3/4 done NDR there is the problem that there will be a signifcant build up of traffic in Drayton and Taverham as well, which will make traffic round there a nightmare. But despite this I would hate to lose the Wensum valley. This is one decision I really don't envy the County council on.

I completely understand where you're coming from Nuhouse, its a pretty common problem with new roads obviously, but I really must question the importance of that area that it should force NCC to not build the one section of this road that I would class as 'essential' for future economic growth.

At least this road is being built in some form though. I think they've chickened out a bit though.

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED10%20Jan%202008%2011%3A19%3A56%3A553

Top level probe over NDR

SAM WILLIAMS
11 January 2008 06:58

A top level investigation is under way into Norfolk County Council's handling of the £106m Northern Distributor Road contract.

The chief executive department is considering a complaint about the decision to hand the deal to May Gurney in July without allowing competitors to bid for it.

The move was blocked by the Department for Transport over fears it could lead to the council and the government being sued.

The complaint, by Denise Carlo, a campaigner from the anti-NDR Norwich and Norfolk Transport Action Group (NNTAG), accuses the council of failing to approach the DfT for an initial opinion on its plans to hand the deal to May Gurney before spending nearly £6,000 on legal advice. It also says council chiefs gave a "misleading interpretation" of the DfT's written response to the planning, transportation, environment and waste review panel in September.

Ms Carlo said: "The episode has created an impression that the public cannot trust Norfolk County Council to provide correct information on the NDR."

Her complaint is being dealt with at stage three - the highest stage a complaint can reach - by Ian Lambert, head of democratic services and scrutiny.

A county council spokesman said: "The stage three complaint will be progressed once Ms Carlo has had an opportunity to consider documents requested under the Freedom of Information Act."

Council bosses have also denied the change in procurement in the NDR contract, which is likely to be put out to tender, would lead to any major delays. Officers believe it will be a year before a new contractor is found.

David Pearson, who has been overseeing the NDR project for the planning department, told the review panel a meeting had been held with the DfT on Monday. It was happy with the proposal and delays would be kept to "an absolute minimum". He added: "This time next year we intend to have a contractor back on board."

Ü Are you fighting a planning application in your area? Call Sam Williams on 01603 772447 or email sam.williams@archant.co.uk

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED15%20Jan%202008%2014%3A54%3A04%3A137

Norwich named top for culture


15 January 2008 14:53

Norwich may have launched an unsuccessful bid to be the European Capital of Culture in 2008, but it seems the judges were wrong.

Our city has more cultural activity than anywhere else in the UK relative to population size, according to new research by local information website locallife.co.uk.

Norwich has 10.96 art galleries, bookshops, museums, theatres, dance and drama schools, film venues, music studios, opera, ballet, arts and crafts shops and musical instrument retailers for every 10,000 residents.

At the same time, Liverpool - the current Capital of Culture since 11 January - ranked 124th in the UK, with a mere 2.97 cultural pursuits per 10,000 Liverpudlians.

Tony Martin, chairman of the firm, said: “It seems Norwich has been wrongly overlooked for European Capital of Culture status. The city has a wealth of cultural events and venues for its people to enjoy, yet its bid failed to even make the shortlist for the 2008 title.

“Liverpool is a wonderfully vibrant city renowned, in particular, for its pop music, The Beatles and The Cavern. When it comes to the blend of music, dance, theatre, film and literature however, Norwich is streets ahead of anywhere.”

I'm sure that having a relatively small population for a city helps with this sort of research and although Norwich is often underrated, I still can't quite believe this report. Surely there must be other cities in the UK more cultural than Norwich? Maybe I don't appreciate my home as much as I should.

On another point and slightly off topic (although I see this as a very general thread!), I have always supported and looked forward to bringing the Olympics to London. When London won the bid, I thought Norwich with its direct links with Stratford and with some infrastructure already in place, would be well placed with hosting teams in pre games training etc. I keep looking out for news but can't find anything on this. I know things will move quicker once 2008 Olympics have finished, but just wondered if anyone knew or have heard anything on this subject?

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED21%20Jan%202008%2008%3A12%3A11%3A690

Fresh calls for A11 dualling

21 January 2008 09:00

East Anglia's economy would reap a £600m windfall if final dualling of the A11 went ahead.

That is the finding of a major study published today which seeks to convince ministers why they should find the £100m needed to dual the remaining nine mile stretch of road between Thetford and Fiveways at Barton Mills.

With the region's key road and rail links to Norfolk groaning under the weight of increased commuter numbers - and with more than 78,000 new homes earmarked for the county - pressure is again mounting for the government to go the extra mile and reverse years of historic underinvestment in transport.

The New Year saw thousands of rail passengers forced on to buses when engineering work at Liverpool Street station failed to be completed on time.

A stretch of the A47 was forced to close last week, just days after it emerged that dualling had been quietly dropped from the EU's list of transport priorities.

Today's study was jointly commissioned by the East of England Development Agency (Eeda), Norfolk County Council and the Government Office for the East of England (GO-East) to evaluate the wider economic impacts of dualling the A11 between the Fiveways Junction and Thetford.

Carried out by Atkins Transport Planning it takes its lead from the transport study by Sir Rod Eddington commissioned by Gordon Brown, which concluded that tackling Britain's transport bottlenecks would bring the greatest economic reward at the lowest cost the national purse.

The project could generate an estimated £135m of wider economic benefits, including significant productivity benefits to firms in Norwich and Thetford.

There would be £558m resulting from time savings for road users and £98m from reduced accidents.

“The total productivity benefits will be strongly concentrated on Thetford, Norwich and Yarmouth, with benefits also spread between other districts in Norfolk and elsewhere in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire,” the report said. “Tackling the remaining bottleneck on the A11 corridor will boost confidence among businesses in Norwich, which could help generate interest from investors from outside the region. This will help create the conditions for delivering new housing and employment sites in the city.”

But ministers will still need to be persuaded to support the scheme ahead of their current preference for adding an extra lane between the M25 and Stansted. There could also be widespread opposition from environmentalists who fear dualling could do more harm than good in the longer term.

Adrian Gunson, cabinet member for planning and transportation at Norfolk County Council: “This study reinforces what many business people and councillors have been saying for 30 years, that there will be vast economic benefits to Norfolk in dualling the A11. Indeed the last stretch between the Fiveways junction and Thetford will bring benefits some six times the cost of dualling the road. Clearly we shall be using this study to press for the urgent dualling of this stretch of road to create economic growth and prevent some of the human suffering caused through deaths and injuries on this remaining stretch of single carriageway.”

Norwich South MP Charles Clarke, last year teamed up with West Suffolk MP Richard Spring to push for dualling to be brought forward, said the report was further evidence to act now.

“The report makes an absolutely compelling case that the future economic prosperity of Norfolk and Norwich depends on excellent rail and road infrastructure links to the rest of the country of which the A11 is probably the most important example,” he said. “I intend to continue to take what action I can to ensure that this transport infrastructure is completed.”

Later this year Eeda is to look at how improving links such as rail travel between Norwich and London, and westwards to Peterborough and beyond as well as dualling the A47 will all reap significant benefits to commuters, businesses and jobs.

I'm sure that having a relatively small population for a city helps with this sort of research and although Norwich is often underrated, I still can't quite believe this report. Surely there must be other cities in the UK more cultural than Norwich? Maybe I don't appreciate my home as much as I should.

Norwich has a lot going on that remains unseen not just to those outside the region by those in it as well. Not just in culture but a wide array of other things. Norwich is for example the most significant financial centre in the UK after London as well as the biggest insurance centre anywhere in the UK. That would probably shock 99% people who read it but it's a fact. The problem with Norwich is what it's always been, it doesn't do enough to promote itself so many people outside the region or those that have never been here continue to think of it as some sort of small inbred back water.

On another point and slightly off topic (although I see this as a very general thread!), I have always supported and looked forward to bringing the Olympics to London. When London won the bid, I thought Norwich with its direct links with Stratford and with some infrastructure already in place, would be well placed with hosting teams in pre games training etc. I keep looking out for news but can't find anything on this. I know things will move quicker once 2008 Olympics have finished, but just wondered if anyone knew or have heard anything on this subject

I've heard some rumours about the UEA's sports park being used for some teams but nothing more than that. Again the sport's park is one of the best multi purpose sporting facilities in the entire country but if the city council does nothing to promote it and to get athletes here we may well miss out.

Re: A11 Dualling - I think its shocking that Norwich is still without a complete dual-carriageway connection to London. Its not like the A47 east of Norwich where the main issue is safety and bad junctions, this is vital for economic development and its a bit of an embarrassment that the A11 is single lane in places.

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED05%20Feb%202008%2008%3A29%3A12%3A427

14-storey flats plan for city

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A massive 14-storey block of flats overlooking the River Wensum is being earmarked for the city, the Evening News can reveal today.

Initial talks are taking place between families in the Carrow Park area of the city and landowners for a major development behind the home of Norwich City Football Club.

However, today people living in the area hit out at the proposals raising fears they would have a detrimental impact on the look of Norwich.

The plans have been drawn up by engineering company FKI, for the site currently occupied by ATB Laurence Scott, which it owns.

Today, Laurence Scott bosses allayed fears the proposals have put the future of he historic firm in jeopardy, revealing they were on the verge of completing a lease extension on the site covering the next three years.

However, union bosses at the firm, which was brought out just last year, today spoke of their fears for the future, fearing the landowners will go ahead with the development once the lease does finally run out.

GMB union regional organiser Glenn Holdom said: “We have always believed that the interests of FKI are not for the sustainability of Laurence Scott. They are more interested in making bucks from the land, which we believe is wrong.

“ATB is trying to redevelop the site but is maybe being stabbed in the back by FKI throwing a spanner in the works. Hopefully, they can make a deal to avoid any conflict.”

No formal planning application has been submitted, however consultation over plans is currently taking place between FKI and people in the area.

It wants Laurence Scott's Gothic Works factory premises in Hardy Road and Kerrison Road to be transformed into a mixed residential and commercial development.

This would mean the removal of the existing buildings and their replacement with 403 student accommodation units, 71 retirement flats, 202 penthouse and private flats, 24 sheltered housing units and 62 other houses.

There would also be 1,810 sq m of offices, 1,375 sq m of retail, a 585 sq m community centre, open spaces and a landscaped public square.

The Harbour Triangle Residents' group, made up of people living in the area, has met twice to discuss the proposals, which include the 14-storey block at the bottom of Hardy Road by the railway line, which would be one of the tallest buildings in the city, next to Normandie Tower, which is 16 storeys high.

Frank Harvey, 72, chairman of the Harbour Triangle Residents, said: “People are concerned about it, and feel that they are going to be crammed in by all the new houses and buildings.

“Obviously, they're worried about the 14-storey block of flats and how it's going to change the outlook and view of the city.”

Vicky Manthorpe, a spokeswoman for the city heritage watchdog The Norwich Society, was also concerned to hear of the proposals.

She said: “We have recently carried out a survey on views in the city, and obviously something like this can change the view for a lot of people.”

Gill Ward, secretary of the Norwich Rivers Heritage Group, said: “The enormous scale of the block is totally unsuitable for Norwich.

“The city should be scaling down development at that end of the river, instead of putting something like this up.”

Thorpe Hamlet councillors Jill Surridge, Jeremy Hooke and Joyce Divers have also spoken of their concerns.

Mr Hooke said: “I welcome any new development in Thorpe Hamlet, however there needs to be a complete consultation between residents, the planning department and the applicant.

“A lot of residents are worried about anything that's new, however while the 14-storey block is overwhelming, if the application fits the local plan there's no reason why it cannot be accepted.”

The Gothic Works site is owned by the pension fund of Laurence Scott's former parent FKI, which declined to comment on the plans.

But Dave Schumacher, managing director of ATB Laurence Scott, said: “We've got a good relationship with FKI, and are just about to finalise a lease extension for the next three years. So we are going to be on site for the foreseeable future.”

The Evening News reported last December that ATB Laurence Scott was on course to increase sales by more than a third, less than six months after being rescued from administration.

Austrian engineering conglomerate ATB bought Laurence Scott Electromotors, as it was formerly known, in June last year after it hit financial difficulties.

Since then ATB has restructured the operation to boost productivity and output, and the company, which develops and manufactures high voltage motors, expects further sales growth in 2008.

The existing test bed at the site is on a neighbouring parcel of land owned by Norwich City Football Club. ATB has negotiated an agreement with the club to extend the lease on the test bed facility until October 2009 giving time for new facilities to be constructed.

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Be interesting to see if these get planning permission. To be honest while I sympathise with the workers at the factory the area around the back of Carrow road is a bit of a dump, which could do with something like this.

Draft plans for the War Memorial garden behind behind the market infront of City hall:

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED04%20Feb%202008%2012%3A36%3A42%3A777

First look at Memorial Gardens plan

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http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/assets/images/dynamicfeed/yallopv20080204134251.jpg

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People in Norwich are being given a first glimpse of the new designs for the city's Memorial Gardens.

The draft designs come as it was revealed by the Evening News that the long-awaited revamp of war memorial gardens has been delayed for at least a further six months, because of a row between market traders and City Hall.

The much needed £4million scheme to improve the gardens at the top of Norwich market was due to begin this autumn.

However, it has emerged that problems between Norwich City Council and market traders has pushed the start date back to the first quarter of 2009.

The delay means the revamped gardens are now unlikely to be unveiled until the end of 2011 at the earliest.

The news follows a stand-off between City Hall bosses and a small handful of market traders over “the undercroft” of the gardens, which is currently used by traders for storage.

City Hall bosses need the area cleared before they can start the improvements, however three of the traders are currently refusing to budge.

The new images, released by Norwich City Council, give the first idea of what the gardens will look like when finished.

A full public consultation on the designs is to be held in May, and they will not be finalised until the summer.

The main part of the project involves replacing the dangerously weak internal structure of columns and beams, so that the gardens can be reopened to the public.

While most parts of the gardens will remain the same, the central section around the war memorial will be changed. The memorial will be raised onto St Peter's Street and turned round to face City Hall.

New access ramps and steps will be provided around the memorial to help people with mobility problems. This is aimed at encouraging more people to use the gardens and discouraging antisocial behaviour.

The central space in the gardens, previously occupied by the memorial, will be redesigned with a new commemorative feature.

The city council is working with a group including representatives of veterans' organisations, the Peace Council and the Norwich Society to help it choose an artist for the commemorative feature and to comment on their work.

The council is asking local people what thoughts and emotions the gardens should evoke, so that the chosen artist can respond to this in their work.

These views should be emailed to warmemorial@norwich.gov.uk and marked “commemorative feature” before the end of February.

An artist will be appointed in March and their proposal will be displayed along with full details of the Memorial Gardens project at a public consultation in June.

Norwich City Council's executive member for culture Brenda Ferris said: “We are excited about this opportunity to rededicate the gardens for the 21st century with a commemorative feature.

“Local people still tragically and heroically lose their lives and limbs in warfare and the peaceful resolution of conflict remains a cherished goal.

“The gardens are a peaceful place of remembrance, and the work should be sympathetic to that, but we have open minds about what form it should take.”

The unkempt and untidy state of the war memorial has shamed the city for many years. Last year journalist and former MP Martin Bell branded it a “disgrace” and labelled it the “worst war memorial outside of Iraq”.

However, in September the council promised to spend £4million to provide a memorial the city could be proud of.

The market traders were today unwilling to identify the three who had refused to budge. They criticised the council for failing to serve them notice to leave in September, when the plans were first unveiled.

They also have concerns about their storage space once the work has been completed.

Ray Swinger, who runs a bag stall at the front of the market, said: “People are scared to move their stock out because they are worried they won't get any storage space back when it's all completed.

“Stall owners now fear a back lash from people thinking they're anti the memorial, which of course none of us are.”

Phil Read, chairman of the market traders' committee and owner of Amber Engraving, said: “It would've been empty by March if they had sorted out their notice earlier - but they didn't tell us till Christmas - and then wanted people to move all their stock in a few weeks - you can imagine how much extra stock people had at that time of year. Now three people are refusing to move.”

The council was offering free storage sheds, to be situated near the St Peter Mancroft church, but this has now been withdrawn.

Hazel McLeish, who runs the card stall Events, said: “I'm an ex-servicewomen and many members of my family served, so I strongly back the memorial gardens being sorted out. However, we are being messed around by the council.”

14 storeys? Right down there? Seems a bit odd? There's virtually no other building further east along the river from that point. Certainly the right place for these kinds of development, but I'm not sure that area needs 14 storeys...

The War Memorial Gardens sound good and would have been nice to see this completed with the new market, anyway this should finish off that area of the city quite nicely.

Regarding the new housing scheme, my father works at Laurence Scotts so obviously I don't want to see the factory affected, plus the business has been there for many years and have a respected name in the industry so it would be a shame if the new owners cannot get the firm out of its financial difficulties. From what I remember, the actual site for the housing hasn't been used for some time following previous downsizing so the current factory should be unaffected (I think).

Removing myself from the personal attachment, I agree the bit behind Carrow Road is 'a bit of a dump' so any development should be good, I knew that this area had been pencilled in for housing although I am surprised to see it on this scale. 14 Storeys is pretty impressive for Norwich and would be slightly surprised to see planning permission granted. It will be interesting to see this one develop.

In any case, its good to see so many noteworthy developments still being proposed for Norwich.

I love Norfolk

Work to start on former brewery site

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED11%20Mar%202008%2016%3A27%3A34%3A843

A model of the St Anne's Wharf development.
SAM WILLIAMS
12 March 2008 07:00

Work is about to start on £100m plans to build more than 400 homes on the derelict St Anne's Wharf site - and complete one of the final pieces of the jigsaw in the city's regeneration.

City Living Property has already started preparing the five-acre riverside site to make way for a 437-home development, along

with a health centre and possible hotel.

Workers have removed asbestos from buildings on the former brewery site and are now awaiting approval from the Health and Safety Executive to begin the six-month demolition process, expected to start next week.

The news ends years of uncertainty over the site, situated between King Street and the Wensum, which developers have described as the "final part" of the regeneration of Norwich's riverside. In 2003, the site's previous owners Wilson Bowden Developments applied for planning permission to build the homes along with dozens of shops and restaurants, but permission was only granted in 2006.

The site was then sold on to Anglian Projects and Developments, but was then bought again by CLP for between £15m and £20m in December 2007.

Construction work on the project is now expected to start in September, and the developers will be sticking to the original planning application for the homes, but will seek permission to tweak the commercial side to incorporate a doctor's surgery, dentist, pharmacy and a small treatment centre.

CLP is also looking at the viability of building a hotel on part of the land. Chairman Garry Coaley said: "This project will provide further regeneration of the riverside. We think St Anne's Wharf will be the final part of that regeneration. It is an exciting development for the city."

The start of work was welcomed by David Bradford, chairman of the Norwich City Council planning committee, who said it had the potential to become a "vibrant" new district and open up access to the riverside.

He added: "I welcome the revival and regeneration of that part of the city which has been run down for a very long time."

Last week, motorists using the Old Brewery car park off Mountergate were told it would be closed to allow the work to start, and a company engaged in the demolition of the former brewery site has this week written to residents living nearby informing them of the planned works.

The letter, from Stats Projects Ltd, said demolition would be carried out first and improvements made to entrances off Mountergate and King Street.

It added: "As a company we are committed at all times to keeping you informed of both our progress and future works with a view to minimising any temporary adverse effects that we may have in your local community."

Is this site on the bend of the river opposite the Riverside development (just past the train station)?

Thats the one. Where the proposed second pedestrian bridge is due to go.

Thought Id pop in and say hi. Norfolk born and bred and lived in Yarmouth all my life. I have to say Norwich is one of my favourite cities in the world and I would love to see it a bit more developed.

I have to say I really like the look of The Edge for Great Yarmouth as that whole area down on South Denes needs massive redevelopment but there was another plan in the works for the Palace Casino people to build this instead.

http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/nw24/assets/dynamicFeed/barehamd20080221134037.jpg

Casino owner's £35m leisure plans

21 February 2008

THE owner of Great Yarmouth's newest casino has drawn up plans for a £35m leisure development which would spread from Church Plain and along The Conge to North Quay.

Patrick Duffy is proposing to transform the rundown area with a 75-bedroom hotel with five five-star suites, a conference centre, shops and leisure facilities including a multiplex cinema and ten-pin bowling.

Last night, the Palace Casino off Market Place - and on the site of the old Tesco store - was officially opened with Mr Duffy predicting up to 75,000 visitors a year.

Sited next to the existing Palace Bingo, the casino has taken the investment of Mr Duffy in the site to more than £9m in five years and create a further 70 jobs on top of the 35 already at the Church Plain complex.

And Mr Duffy, who launched his £25m business empire 12 years ago with a bingo club in Gorleston High Street, has declared himself in the running for the town's long-awaited large casino licence.

Pleasure Beach managing director Albert Jones has already thrown in his hat for the licence, with his consortium unveiling plans for a £35m casino and leisure complex called The Edge on disused South Denes.

Mr Duffy said to meet the space criteria for a large casino he would simply have to knock down two walls between the present bingo and casino clubs.

He said the scheme was not dependent on any consortium and could proceed even if the government turned its back on large casinos.

“I have already built the casino,” he said.

Interesting plans, though the top half of that 3dMap doesn't quite make sense. Only three roads coming off the Fuller's Hill roundabout and an arrow saying 'to city centre'?!

Anyway, it looks as if it provides some kind improvement to the pathway that leads to the station which is sooooooooooooooo vital its unbeleivable. One of the worst station approaches in the country I'll bet.

Interesting plans, though the top half of that 3dMap doesn't quite make sense. Only three roads coming off the Fuller's Hill roundabout and an arrow saying 'to city centre'?!

Anyway, it looks as if it provides some kind improvement to the pathway that leads to the station which is sooooooooooooooo vital its unbeleivable. One of the worst station approaches in the country I'll bet.

Well there is alot wrong with that diagram. Surely the "city centre" is south of the image away from The Conge.

As for the railway approach I couldn't agree more, you have that busy road junction between the Conge and North Quay and the bridge which I was mugged on a fortnight ago. The station itself is not a nice place.

If it was up to me I would pretty much demolish everything down The Conge including the Police Station. I would rebuild it into a large shopping area and better link up the town and station. I would also redevelop the bridge but not demolish it as I quite like it then I'd demolish the office building directly opposite the station.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x209/gingerblokey3/redvelopment1.jpg
Station Area

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Conge Area

Just one of my many fantasy redevelopments of Great Yarmouth.

Very nice gingerblokey - you've made those diagrams yourself? It would take some major improvements to the economy for all the apartments/shopping/bars/cafes that you plan to come to fruition, but it would certainly be a welcome addition to that area. However I certainly agree that a better link down the Conge and across the bridge (i like the iron bridge too) is needed right now, and would probably encourage all the other improvements you suggest, although obivously this casino extension would also help.

It's not too far off. There is a heck of alot of investment coming into the area right now what with the Outer Harbour and whatnot. Im sure your'e aware of the redevlopment plans for Breydon Marina, the new Broad, Southtown Quays etc which are pretty much pie in the sky.

And this is nothing more than a pipe dream but the whole area is just so lacklusture. Sme smart shop fronts and some of those outdoorsy tables with umberellas would smarten up the town no end.

And yeah, I did the illustration. Dreaming up silly redevelopment schemes for the town is one of the ways I spend my time, as opposed to A Level coursework, which I really should be doing instead.

A couple things on the Great Yarmouth outer port. Some news regarding new cranes (http://www.eastportuk.co.uk/news.aspx) for the port, and the latest newsletter here:

Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour Newsletter February 2008 (http://www.eastportuk.co.uk/downloads/Monthly%20Newsletter%20FEB%2020081.pdf)

I can't wait until they dredge up the Polaris wreck, should make for some interesting events.

Just wondering if anyone know what is being built on the site off Barrack Street (Norwich). It's a pretty big site and there's lots of scaffolding going up but there's no hoardings to say what it is for?

St James Development - See the first post on this thread

:doh:thank you!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/7407140.stm

Assembly looks at casino scheme

EERA is submitting its views on the scheme to Great Yarmouth council
Plans for a £35m casino, hotel and leisure complex in Norfolk are to be considered by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA).

The outline proposal - which includes a bowling alley and multiplex cinema at Great Yarmouth - is being considered by its regional planning panel on Friday.

An EERA report said the scheme for the South Denes area of the town generally conformed to planning policy. But it calls for more information on how it would help regenerate the area.

The report also says developers - the Pleasure and Leisure Corporation - are looking at the use of alternative, more environmentally friendly, forms of energy.

EERA will submit its views on the proposals to the planning authority Great Yarmouth Borough Council - which has the responsibility of deciding whether to give it planning permission.

Pleasure and Leisure Corporation - which owns the town's Pleasure Beach - said earlier that the development called The Edge, could give jobs to 1,000 people.

Pleasure and Leisure's plans would see a derelict former caravan holiday park south of the Pleasure Beach completely redeveloped.

Display for the memorial garden being displayed at the forum this weekend

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=NewsSplash&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=NewsSplash&itemid=NOED19%20Jun%202008%2008%3A42%3A50%3A747

Calvert Square being scaled down

Anglia Square plans welcomed

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/search/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&itemid=NOED17%20Jul%202008%2012:57:15:770&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=search

REBECCA GOUGH

17 July 2008 17:00


People living and working close to Anglia Square have today welcomed the scaling down of a new multi-million pound development which is set to start next year.

As the Evening News reported earlier in the week, plans for 450 new homes have been reduced to 200 and what was controversially planned to be a 19 story tower block will now only have nine residential floors - smaller than the building it is set to replace.

The revised plans are currently on view in Anglia Square and nearby businesses and homeowners have welcomed the changes.

The 1960s shopping centre is set to be demolished, renamed Calvert Square and transformed into 450 new homes along with a large supermarket, shops and cafes.

Now, developers have been forced to take the appearance of the supermarket more into account as fewer houses will mean it is more visible. The new development will be situated between Magdalen Street and St Augustine's Street.

Colin Coopper, who has just started his business CC Cards in Anglia Square, said: “I think it's an immense improvement. It needs bringing up to date a bit.

“Under the economic climate I can understand why they've done what they've done. I think it's a very sensible idea. Any improvement is a good improvement. It's a step up in the right direction.

“Many years ago Magdalen Street was the shopping street and I'm not sure we can get back to that but I think we can be a good shopping area.

Andrew Eelea, 48, who lives off St Augustine's Street, was positive about the revised reduction in housing and drop in tower block height, but said: “I think to be honest it looks a bit bland because of the materials used.

“You're going to have the red brick building sat there and other ones in different finishes and it might look too much of a mixture.

He added: “I can see why they're not building as many houses because they've got enough properties in the area but what they've suggested should be an improvement.”

Kenneth Willsea, 81, from Chatham Street, off Sussex Street, Norwich, had his reservations but still welcomed the new plans.

He said: “I think the reduction in housing is a good thing but will the supermarkets be satisfied with it?”

Developers say the reduction in housing is to reflect reduced demand which comes as fewer people are investing in property, which has resulted in fewer floors of the tower block.

There will also be revised servicing access to the supermarket directly from/ to St Crispins which will lead to the removal of the previously proposed bridge link across the new Calvert Street.

Ranald Phillips, from developer Centenary Ashcroft told the Evening News earlier this week that if plans are approved they intend to start work on the next year and complete the development three years later.


The public consultation will run until July 20, when the revised planning application will be submitted.

^^ Further to that:

Norwich Evening News 24 (http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED12%20Sep%202008%2008%3A30%3A33%3A377)

Anglia Square plans formally submitted

Plans for a multi-million pound development at Anglia Square have now been formally submitted with work due to start next year.

As previously reported in the Evening News, the plans were scaled down earlier this year with one of the reasons being the current downturn in the housing market.

The 1960s shopping centre was set to be demolished, renamed Calvert Square and transformed into 450 new homes, along with a large supermarket, shops and cafes.

But concerns over the economic climate forced developers into talks with Norwich City Council and they agreed to reduce the number of homes to 200.

Other revisions to the plans include a significant reduction in the height of the proposed tower block, from its planned 19 storeys, upgrading of the supermarket, and revised servicing access to the foodstore directly from/to St Crispins, enabling the removal of the previously proposed bridge link across the new Calvert Street.

Ranald Phillips, from developer Centenary Ashcroft, said: “The revised planning application reflects changes that have been made as a result of detailed conversations with Norwich City Council and feedback from additional public consultation as well as taking into account the radically changed housing market.

“The new plans were showcased at a public consultation in Anglia Square in July and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive - for the overall vision as well as the changes.

“We hope planning permission will be granted by the end of this year. If it is, we would like to start the enabling works next year.” Planning consent will also allow Norfolk County Council to proceed with the St Augustine's gyratory road scheme which is required to alleviate the serious congestion and air pollution which currently affects the area.

First steps for the regeneration of Anglia Square will involve an archaeological dig and demolition works before construction can take place. Completion is expected three years later.

During the construction process the developers plan to keep many of the existing shops open, relocating some of them where possible, to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

Mr Phillips added: “Our vision for Anglia Square will help regenerate the area, attracting new residents, shoppers and businesses. Feedback from many people was 'How soon can you start?' The answer is, as soon as we can. We are as anxious as shoppers, local residents and businesses to see our proposals turned into reality as soon as possible.”

The new development will be situated between Magdalen Street and St Augustine's Street.

Tried posting this yesterday too but the bloody forum kept playing up:

Norwich Evening News 24 (http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/search/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&itemid=NOED11%20Sep%202008%2016:50:23:537&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=search)

City college's rebuild given green light

City College Norwich's plans for a state-of-the-art campus have been given the go-ahead today.

The decision by Norwich City Council's planning committee comes after the college hosted a site visit last month to allow planners and residents to see first-hand the location and surroundings of the proposed plans.

Dick Palmer, principal of City College Norwich, said: “I am thrilled for Norwich and for our next generation of students.

“A world class city like Norwich needs a highly skilled workforce but city college can only deliver those world class skills with 21st century facilities that we can now go forward and develop.

“It is essential that we can develop our campus to create modern learning environments to inspire and motivate our students.

“This is an opportunity not just for city college students of the future but also for the county and wider region. This redevelopment will bring major economic and social benefits for the community. This is an extremely exciting time for Norfolk.”

The campus will house a number of facilities that will be available for use by the public including a theatre, restaurant, gym, hair salon and spa.

It is planned that the front of the campus, running along the Ipswich Road, will be a showcase of employability, providing a wide range of services to the public and business.

http://new.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED29%20Oct%202008%2008%3A12%3A29%3A063


City's £2.5m bridge scheme is back on.

A long-awaited £2.5m bridge which will link Riverside to the rest of the city centre is finally set to go ahead - almost a decade after work began to pave the way for it.

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has announced it is putting £730,000 into the fund for the construction of St Anne's Wharf bridge, designed to connect King Street with Riverside.

A report going to Norwich City Council's executive committee today recommends the committee releases nearly £1.7 million which was secured through developer contributions from the Riverside scheme.

With a grant of £70,000 from Greater Norwich Development Partnership (GNDP) that means the full £2.5m cost for the bridge will be available.

The bridge was planned as part of the development at Riverside. Gazeleys, the developers of Riverside, were obliged to provide the bridge through a section 106 agreement agreed when they secured planning permission in 1996.

The company began building the bridge on the Riverside side of the river, between Norwegian Blue and what is now the Queen of Iceni, in 1999.

But changes in ownership and successive abortive regeneration proposals by different developers on St Anne's Wharf meant it was impossible to begin construction on the King Street side, so the bridge could not be finished.

The St Anne's Wharf site is now in the hands of developers City Living who have agreed to allow a link to the bridge through the site - and the city council still has the cash from Gazeleys, which has been stored in a high-interest earning bank account.

Brian Morrey, Labour's executive member for sustainable city development on the city council, said: “This funding announcement is fantastic news. I am pleased to see movement on this project, which has been a priority for the council for years.

“Thanks to the help from EEDA, this long-awaited bridge will connect the city centre and Riverside, boost the potential for more development on King Street, and improve environmentally-friendly travel in Norwich by providing the last link in an important cycle and pedestrian route.”

The steel bridge will help Riverside to become more connected to the city centre and it is hoped that will spark the development of other brownfield sites in King Street, including St Anne's Wharf, Mountergate and Rose Lane.

It would stand about 300 metres downstream of Foundry Bridge and would span from St Anne's Wharf to the open square in front of the Odeon cinema.

Overall responsibility for the delivery of the project lies with Norwich City Council as the council still holds the legal obligation to deliver the bridge.

The city council is proposing an agreement with Norfolk County Council, who have an established contract with May Gurney, to allow them to build the bridge.

It is hoped work on it will start in January next year and the bridge will be finished by the end of August.

The project management delivery team will include representatives of Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council, the Broads Authority and City Living. GNDP members will receive regular progress updates.

^^ Great news, could push start some potential regeneration opportunities west of the river. Mind you, not sure what would really get off the ground in todays economic climate.

BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/7705565.stm)

New home target raised to 141,700

The target for new homes to be built in Norfolk over the next 18 years has been almost doubled by the government.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45166000/jpg/_45166827_9fe88de4-9cef-46cc-b7ae-6bced86ea7ad.jpg

Councils must respond to an advice unit's suggestion that up to 67,000 extra houses should be built by 2031.

Norfolk has already been asked by the government to accommodate 74,700 new houses over the next 18 years.

The National Housing and Planning Advice Unit (NHPAU) plan would boost new homes building to 141,700. That would mean 6,000 new houses every year.

NHPAU has advised the government that Norfolk's minimum target should be an additional 36,390 houses, giving an average construction rate of 4,830 a year to achieve 111,090 by 2031.

The government has, through the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA), asked local authorities to respond to NHPAU's advice.

Adrian Gunson, cabinet member for planning and transportation, said: "I personally think the high figure proposed by this housing think tank is highly undesirable for Norfolk, and is neither realistic nor achievable.

"Norfolk needs to plan for growth, but it must meet the highest environmental and design standards and growth must only take place if the vital infrastructure improvements are agreed and financed by government.

"I am concerned that county and district planning officers are having to spend time on this proposal when they are already hard-pressed on important work such as making the case for major injections of government funds for infrastructure improvements in the Norwich area and in King's Lynn."

BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/7705565.stm)

New home target raised to 141,700

The target for new homes to be built in Norfolk over the next 18 years has been almost doubled by the government.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45166000/jpg/_45166827_9fe88de4-9cef-46cc-b7ae-6bced86ea7ad.jpg

Councils must respond to an advice unit's suggestion that up to 67,000 extra houses should be built by 2031.

Norfolk has already been asked by the government to accommodate 74,700 new houses over the next 18 years.

The National Housing and Planning Advice Unit (NHPAU) plan would boost new homes building to 141,700. That would mean 6,000 new houses every year.

NHPAU has advised the government that Norfolk's minimum target should be an additional 36,390 houses, giving an average construction rate of 4,830 a year to achieve 111,090 by 2031.

The government has, through the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA), asked local authorities to respond to NHPAU's advice.

Adrian Gunson, cabinet member for planning and transportation, said: "I personally think the high figure proposed by this housing think tank is highly undesirable for Norfolk, and is neither realistic nor achievable.

"Norfolk needs to plan for growth, but it must meet the highest environmental and design standards and growth must only take place if the vital infrastructure improvements are agreed and financed by government.

"I am concerned that county and district planning officers are having to spend time on this proposal when they are already hard-pressed on important work such as making the case for major injections of government funds for infrastructure improvements in the Norwich area and in King's Lynn."

What a morning!!! Woke to the making of history in US.....and.....the news article above. Perverse I'm sure but have always harboured fantasies of substantial (controlled) urban growth for Norfolk. How much excitement for 1 day? Am I alone???

Not anything new, but with obvious links to the above. This has also been headlined in the local news recently.

http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=News&itemid=NOED19%20Oct%202008%2018%3A33%3A25%3A707

More backing for Rackheath eco-town

The layout of the proposed Rackheath eco town
ED FOSS

20 October 2008 05:33


The possible 3,400-home Rackheath eco town is "deliverable, realistic and sensible" according to a

world-leading carbon reduction expert.

Marcus Armes, from the UEA-based CRed carbon reduction campaign and part of the fledgling partnership behind the Rackheath development, told the EDP he was impressed with the plans put forward so far, especially in comparison to the separate and widely criticised eco town proposal for the former RAF Coltishall base at Scottow.

As reported last week, a team including Barratt Homes, regional property development company Building Partnerships and University of East Anglia-based experts has been put together to drive the project forward. Public consultation is about to start and a dedicated project website is up and running.

Mr Armes said: "It is an order of magnitude better than RAF Coltishall.

"The numbers stack up, the number of units is much more sensible, especially at this early stage in the history of eco-towns.

"The proximity to Norwich and existing road and rail links is infinitely better.

"What we have heard so far

about the kinds of technology they want to use, we would be very supportive of.

"I have seen some other eco town plans and the Rackheath one is by far and away the most sensible and deliverable. So yes, it is realistic."

Mr Armes said he understood that Henry Cleary, the government's lead official on eco towns, was "very excited" by the involvement of CRed and he also felt the Rackheath development could become a "model for others" in the future.

Meanwhile, the two MPs with Rackheath and Scottow in their constituencies have given the Rackheath plan a cautious welcome - with both saying it appears to make far more sense than Scottow for a host of reasons.

Keith Simpson, the Mid Norfolk MP for the Rackheath area, said: "What I need to do is push to make certain it really is environmentally friendly and also that the infrastructure which comes with it is up to scratch - and I am happy to hold the government's feet to the fire to ensure that.

"I am told the developers want to brief people as fully as possible and be as transparent as possible, which I welcome.

"I am sure they are aware of the cack-handed way in which the Coltishall situation was handled, or rather mis-handled."

Mr Simpson said he had not yet had anyone contact him with concerns about the Rackheath plan, but added: "That doesn't mean there will not be opposition."

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, who has the majority of the ex-RAF site in his constituency, said: "On the face of it, Rackheath appears to make much more sense than Coltishall, with the two key differences of proximity to the city and the existing rail link.

"But of course it must be subject to rigorous assessment, and local opinion must be taken into account."

Mr Lamb said he would however prefer to see environmental build on the very edge of cities, such as in the German city of Freiburg, to help bring down car use even further.

To comment or find out more visit www.rackheatheco-community.com.

What a morning!!! Woke to the making of history in US.....and.....the news article above. Perverse I'm sure but have always harboured fantasies of substantial (controlled) urban growth for Norfolk. How much excitement for 1 day? Am I alone???

Ha! Yes, I like the idea of an increase in population around some areas in Norfolk - but unfortunately a lot of the infrastructure just isn't up to it at the moment.

thx for infomation Caveman (I knew about eco-town but not the website). Also I understand there are quite a few proposals for large developments appearing on the Norfolk horizon (so far very distant), Hethersett/Little Melton 'Home County Town', Pelhams plans for Wymondham, various for Attleborough and Besthorpe, Snetterton Business Park/Raceway, Thetford and Lynn Growth Point status etc etc.
Would like to know of any more, also maps and plans that may be available....also photos of skylines of Norfolk towns, industrial units/factories, construction site and so on.

One of Norfolk's best buildings, Great Yarmouth Town Hall has been undergoing some hefty renovation works for some time now (it was under its full scaffolding and canvas when I was last in town a few months ago). Here's a BBC report (http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2008/11/06/yarmouth_town_hall_restoration_20081106_feature.shtml) on the works:

New start for a Great Yarmouth gem
By Andrew Turner

http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/images/2008/11/06/yarmouth_town_hall_203_203x152.jpg http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/images/2008/11/06/yarmouth_town_hall_body5_20_203x152.jpg

The Town Hall in Great Yarmouth is undergoing a massive £1.5 million restoration project to undo damage caused by harsh weather conditions and unsympathetic repairs over the past 125 years.

Dominating the view of Hall Quay, Great Yarmouth Town Hall is receiving a well needed boost to restore it to its former glory. Arguably one of the best buildings in the town, the Town Hall was built in the 1880s and it stands as a classic example of fine Victorian gothic architecture.

After more than a century of harsh east coast weather and neglect from various administrations in office, its roof and masonry have suffered over the years.

However, £1.5 million of local council tax and English Heritage money is being spent on the hall to make it gleam and dominate the town’s landscape once again.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/images/2008/11/07/yarmouth_town_hall_body2_203_203x152.jpg http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/images/2008/11/06/yarmouth_town_hall_body4_20_203x152.jpg

Restoring heritage

The Town Hall is the prestigious home of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, but surprisingly it has been able to stay in most of the building while the work has been undertaken. Only the Assembly Room of the hall has been closed off during the project.

In 2007, a shroud of scaffolding and polythene sheeting was erected around the building to allow major repairs and re-roofing. Investigations only possibly from the scaffold found more structural problems than workers and councillors originally expected.

Forward to 2008, the builders are far nearer to completion of the project, with the decayed stonework skillfully replaced, brickwork repaired, slates renewed and insulation fitted beneath them to cut heating bills and emissions. The scaffolding is also finally on its way down, revealing its new-found beauty.

David Frowde, architect for Great Yarmouth Borough Council, explains further about the work that is being done.

"We're doing a full re-roof of the Town Hall and we are sorting out some stonework problems, some lead work and other various pieces that have deteriorated over the years. It’s a really major refurbishment for us," said David.

The work on the Town Hall is being carried out by M S Oakes.

"We're making decisions as we go to preserve the integrity of the building, whilst making sure we get the best use of the scaffolding while it's here. Hopefully, it won't have to be done again in the near future," said managing director Mark Oakes.

Project funding

The restoration is being largely funded by council tax money. Councillor Barry Stone, deputy leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, believes it is his duty to ensure the public's needs are met.

"This is a Grade II listed building and it's part of the town's heritage. It's our responsibility to look after it on behalf of the people of Great Yarmouth. Even though it's costing us a lot of money, the work should leave it in good order for at least several generations to come," said Barry.

It had been argued by the opposition Labour Party that a decade of Tory rule had left the Town Hall in a poor state of repair, leading to a significant repair cost. However, Mr Stone disputed the claim.

"In times of financial constraint, we often cut back on things like inspections and perhaps maintenance, but I wouldn't lay blame at any door. We're all as guilty as one another when it comes to looking after our heritage," he said.

"Even though we have the responsibility of looking after and paying for it now, I'm sure the same would have happened whatever party was in control," he added.

Coastal conditions

One of the main reasons for the stonemasonry being so badly damaged on the building is due to the harsh salt air from the coast. David Frowde feels the hall's position in the town leaves it open to deterioration.

"It’s a really exposed site, particularly on the west where it faces directly onto the river. We've also had a problem of correcting repairs that have been done in the past, where materials that were state of the art years ago are found to be no longer appropriate. It's really been quite a complicated project for us," he said.

Despite its setbacks, Mark Oakes is overjoyed with the success of the restoration.

"Everything that's done here is very traditional, using top quality materials. It's a pleasure working for something like this - it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and it won't be done again for a very long time," said Mark.

The bells toll once more

One of the most prized possessions of the hall is it's clock face and bell tower. This too has been given a good spit and polish under the project and Mr Frowde is looking forward to seeing it back in action.

"The clock is due to go back up in a couple of weeks. It's been fully restored by a clock maker in Norwich," said David.

"All the bells have been checked and once it's back in it will be electronically wound, which means the porters won't have to climb the tower and manually wind it three times a week like they have done in the past," he added.

"We've kept a very close photographic record of the job at each stage. We have the pictures displayed in the Town Hall foyer and we will continue to do that until the project is finished. The public can come and see them at their wish," he added.

good news re: Yarmouth Town Hall....life getting back into one of the most prominent buildings in the town. Lived there for two years, studied at the art college...another fine building, this time in a sorry state of decline)..some of my best memories are of that dirty (but unique) old town.

Thx for tht post AndrewC!

I hope the development of the East Port does what it promises and reverses the fortunes of G.Y.

Anyone have any recent pics of Outer Harbour construction?

Nov 10 2008 'eera' website
'Call for proposals@....inviting developers and others to identify new proposals for sustainable communities or urban extensions upwards of 2000 dwellings. Proposals could have potential to reach 5000-10000 by 2031 (tho looking at some of the proposals...some even higher!!)

note; no overall decisions have yet been made, these proposals are part EERA's gatherring of information for the regional spatial strategy....interesting figures all the same.

south of Attleborough 8,000 dwellings proposed
south east of Thetford 2,500
Kingsfleet (N.E. of Thetford) 15,000
Crown Estate Thetford 15,000
Royal Norwich Golf Club 1,200-2,000
Rackheath Eco Community 5,000
Weston Longville Airfield 2,750
N.E. Norwich 8,000-10,000
N.E. Norwich (from another developer..) 6,000+
Downham Market North 2,500-2,600
Downham Market extension 2,000
Leziate (just east of Lynn) 2,800
S.E. of Lynn 2,000
RAF Coltishall 12,000
Hethersett 7,000+
Colney Sustainable Village 2,500
Land at Wymondham ('Pelham Village'?) 10,000
Norwich Research Park and S.W. Sector 5,000
Harling Road..amount not known
Wymondham (other)..amount not known

more comprehensive info at planning@eera.gov.uk

http://http://www.wcremembered.co.uk/phase2/rdavis2.html

pic of Wymondham College (still standing...not rased to the ground...yet!!) Sixth Form Centre. 4 floors...something of an urban aspect.

My first pic post..hope it appears.

norfolklad: the Outer Harbour at Great Yarmouth: No pics I'm afraid but there is a website which displays the monthly newsletter (october is the last one on there currently). Often some pics on there.

http://www.eastportuk.co.uk/

BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7733539.stm)

New start date for A11 dual works

Work to turn the last single carriageway stretch of the A11 through Suffolk and Norfolk into a dual carriageway has been brought forward.

The work between Fiveways at Barton Mills, Suffolk, and Thetford, Norfolk, will be brought forward from 2012/13.

Subject to the consideration of any objections, the project is now scheduled to start in autumn 2010.

This would enable the stretch to open to traffic in early 2013, 18 months ahead of the previous timetable.

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said: "I have asked the Highways Agency to work towards delivering this much needed scheme to dual the last single carriageway stretch of the A11 at the earliest opportunity."

Ease congestion

He said the work was a top priority which would mean "increased capacity, improved journey times and safety, and provide a big boost to the region's economy".

"It will also provide better value for money, costing around £8m less than it would to start work in 2012/13," said Mr Hoon.

Barbara Follett, Regional Minister for the East of England, described it as great news for the region and would "boost the economy during these difficult times".

Roger Hawkins, project manager for the Highways Agency, said: "Completing the dualing of the A11 between the M11 and Norwich will significantly contribute to improving journey time reliability and ease congestion.

'End of lethal stretch'

"The scheme includes a bypass that will take traffic away from Elveden, bringing substantial benefits to the village which has Conservation Area status."

Daniel Cox, leader of Norfolk County Council, said: "I am absolutely delighted with the news because of the very positive benefits this will bring to the Norfolk economy.

"This victory could not have been achieved without the tremendous backing the campaign has received from the public, in Norfolk, Suffolk and further afield.

"Achieving a 2010 start date was always an ambitious target, but I am highly ambitious for Norfolk - and thrilled to have hit the target in such style."

Norwich City Council leader Steve Morphew said: "This is terrific news for Norwich.

"Apart from being a big boost to business confidence just when we need it, the end of that lethal stretch of road will be a relief to everybody who travels along the A11."

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED13%20Feb%202009%2011%3A03%3A33%3A577

Major Norwich schemes on hold


13 February 2009 11:03



Artist
Artist's impression of Harford Place. on the old Bally shoe factory, South Norwich
Several multi-million pound housing and office developments in Norwich have been delayed until the economy improves as the credit crunch starts to bite.

Bu developers behind the plans today said they remained committed to the projects and to ensuring the city reaches its target of 33,000 new homes and tens of thousands of new jobs in the Norwich area by 2021.

The work affected includes:

The £122m Harford Place mixed use scheme at the Hall Road Retail Park and former Bally Shoe Factory site, which includes 300 new homes and 35,000 sq m of retail, leisure and office space

£120m St Anne's Wharf housing scheme, off King Street, including 400 homes and possible hotel

£60m Duke's Wharf eco-office development at Duke Street

£50m St James Place mixed development, including 20,500 sq m office space and 200 homes off Barrack Street

St Anne
St Anne's Wharf site between King Street and the River Wensum, Norwich
Plans for 1,200 new homes in the second phase of Three Score, Bowthorpe, expected to cost more than £70m

Today's news follows the announcement that the £100m overhaul of Anglia Square, involving 200 new homes, has been put on ice until the housing market improves.

As well as homes and office developments, the credit crunch has also been blamed for delays to several other council-backed projects, such as new waste treatment plants and the city's much-vaunted Memorial Gardens revamp.

Developers behind the latest projects to be affected say the slowdown in demand for housing and office space and difficulties securing finance mean they have little option but to rethink the timing of work.

Norwich-based developer Targetfollow is behind the Harford Place and Duke's Wharf developments. Development director Julian Wells said a major new occupier was set to be announced for the Harford Place scheme, but said the development had been delayed because of the economic climate, with difficulties securing finance.

Construction work was initially planned for autumn 2008, but is now unlikely to start until the end of this year or 2010, depending on the market.

Work securing occupiers and investment for Duke's Wharf had also delayed the scheme from its original plan.

But he reinforced the company's commitment to delivering growth in the city, adding: “Targetfollow, along with other key developers, are 100pc behind the vision we all have for the future of Norwich. The fact that that vision is being delayed by the world economic downturn is a shame, but it doesn't mean it is not going to happen.

“It is clear people want these plans to happen and developers want these schemes to come forward as much as anyone.

“We have got that drive, this just means the developments don't happen this year but may happen next year. We are not going to lose them, they are just going to be put on hold.”

Work is continuing at the St Anne's Wharf housing scheme, with 57 affordable homes and about 20 townhouses under construction, but the majority of the 400 homes are being held back for at least a year.

Garry Coaley, chairman of the developer City Living Developments, said: “We are taking the view that we will start residential construction next year, given that the market picks up.

“If it doesn't improve we will have to review that. It's not that there's a shortage of buyer, it's the fact that people can't get the right mortgages.”

Work on the St James Place development is continuing, with chartered accountants Grant Thornton relocating last week to their new offices in Kingfisher House.

Bosses at Jarrold & Sons, which is behind the plans, say the next phase, including large offices and a new bridge over the Wensum, are also progressing, but the downturn in the economy has meant the site will not be complete for a number of years.

Christopher Doggett, group finance director, said: “Understandably the full development, which covers over 15 acres and will include a new hotel with residential and retail units, will take some years to complete as the process of securing new tenants will take longer in the current environment.

“However, we are optimistic for the future as we believe St James Place is the best city centre office development available in Norwich.”

Steve Morphew, leader of Norwich City Council, said a deal on the Three Score site in Bowthorpe had fallen through as the authority had been unable to sell the land or secure development at “a sensible price” because of the credit crunch.

But he said the authority was following up other options to bring forward new homes, particularly affordable ones, on three score and generate cash to invest in other projects.

Despite the setbacks, Mr Morphew insisted the city's growth plans would not be jeopardised, although he admitted they could be delayed.

He said: “The ambitions are still as great as they ever were. In the long-term we are in as good shape as we have ever been.

“Businesses leaders in the city have all sorts of ambitious plans, the problem is quite literally a lack of cash.

“If no one is building homes or creating jobs then its going to take longer to deliver the plans, so the ambitions are bound to be affected.

“We always expected the growth plans to go through peaks and troughs. What no one predicted was that the trough was going to be of quite this magnitude.

“People out there still need homes and if people can afford them developers will build them.”

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED13%20Feb%202009%2011%3A04%3A28%3A483

With work stalling on further multi-million pound developments in the city, business reporter SAM WILLIAMS looks at whether the credit crunch has had an impact on other planned major developments in and around Norwich.

On Hold or Delayed

St Anne's Wharf

A £100m plan for more than 400 homes on the five-acre former brewery site between King Street and the Wensum, plus shops, restaurants, a health centre and possible hotel.

Developer: City Living Developments

Status: On hold. While work is progressing on affordable homes and about 20 townhouses, the bulk of the homes are being held back for at least a year until the market improves.

Harford Place

£122m mixed use development at the Hall Road Retail Park and former Bally Shoe Factory site. Plans include 300 new homes and 35,000 sq m of retail, leisure and office space.

Developer: Targetfollow

Status: On hold. Work on the scheme is going to be postponed by a year or until the housing market picks up.

Duke's Wharf

£60m eco-office scheme off Duke Street in the city centre offering 14,000 sq m business space and art gallery

Developer: Targetfollow

Status: On hold. Delayed by a year or longer until the economy improves.

St James Place

£50m riverside mixed use development, including 20,500 sq m office space and 200 homes off Barrack Street

Developer: Jarrold and Son

Status: Delayed. While some work is complete and tenants secured, the development will not be finished for several years because of the economic downturn.

Three Score Homes - phase two

The second phase in the Bowthorpe development includes plans for 1,200 new homes and four hectares of open space. Costs are likely to exceed £70m.

Developer: To be confirmed.

Status: Delayed. City Hall chiefs have been unable to secure a satisfactory deal with a developer because of the credit crunch.

Anglia Square

£100m redevelopment of the 1960s shopping centre, including 200 homes and thousands of square metres of office and retail space.

Developer: Centenary Ashcroft

Status: On hold. Developers say the work will not progress until the housing market improves.



Mechanical Biological Anaerobic digestion plant

The planned Costessey recycling plant is seen as crucial to dealing with the county's waste, processing 150,000 tonnes of rubbish.

Developer: to be confirmed

Status: Delayed. The contract for the plant has been delayed from last year to this spring because of shortages of investment in the credit crunch.

Unknown/in the balance

Queen's Hill Country Park

Planning permission granted for up to 1,300 homes on an 86 acre site in Costessey, which is partially complete. Cost likely to be in the region of £100m

Developer: Cofton is main developer and scheme also involves several other firms.

Status: Unknown. While hundreds of homes have already been completed, sales have fallen in the decline of the housing market and last year builders said work in the area had slowed. The developer has refused to comment on whether this will delay further phases of development.

Memorial Gardens

£2m plans to refurbish Memorial Gardens in Market Place

Developer: Norwich City Council

Status: Likely to be delayed. Norwich City Council officials say the economic downturn means money for the scheme may not be available in time. Other capital projects by the authority, including plans for a skate park, may also be delayed.

College expansion

Major multimillion pound upgrades planned for City College Norwich and Paston College

Developers: To be confirmed

Status: The £173m City College Norwich plans and £23m rebuild of Paston College, North Walsham, have been delayed because of a government review of college plans nationally. A decision is likely in the next few months as to whether cash will be forthcoming.



Unaffected or on track

Broadland Gate business park

42,000 sq m office development on the boundary of Broadland Business Park, Thorpe St Andrew. Cost will run into tens of millions.

Developer: Ifield Estates Ltd and Norfolk County Council

Status: On track. Officials say the development will take 10 to 15 years to complete, by which time the market may have recovered.

Norwich Research Park expansion

31-hectare extension to the existing park at Colney proposed by University of East Anglia, John Innes Centre, Institute of Food Research and Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital.

Developer: Gable Developments Norfolk

Status: On track. Norwich Research Park officials say the proposal is on target and has not yet been affected by the credit crunch.

A11 dualling scheme

Long-awaited plans to dual the final stretch of the A11.

Developer: to be confirmed

Status: On track. The government has agreed to fast track funding for the scheme.

Northern Distributor Route

Major bypass linking Postwick Interchange to just east of Attlebridge

Developer: To be confirmed.

Status: On track. Work is unlikely to begin this year, and backers hope the market will have improved by the time it starts.

Deal Ground

Land earmarked for development near the River Wensum in Trowse

Developer: None.

Status: Unaffected. A contamination report is under way and multiple issues have delayed plans to bring the land into use, but the credit crunch has had no impact to date.

Rackheath eco-town

Plans for 10,000 environmentally friendly homes verging on the village.

Developer: To be confirmed.

Status: On track. The plans are on a government shortlist, and will take years before possible development begins.

Wow, been away for a while and completely forgot about this thread to be honest. Good to see it's still going. Also interesting reading about the projects happening and on hold. May well up date the front page if I get time this weekend with the new projects and status.

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED20%20Feb%202009%2008%3A03%3A20%3A103

Plans for thousands of homes approved

A blueprint for thousands of new homes in and around Norwich has been drawn up - however plans for a controversial new town south of the city have been put on hold.

After months of uncertainty council chiefs have put forward a preferred option on the number and location of new homes in and around Norwich over the next 15-plus years.

The Greater Norwich Development Partnership has confirmed a preference for 3,000 new homes in Norwich, 2,200 in Wymondham, 1,800 in Long Stratton, 1,000 in Hethersett, 1,200 in Colney and Cringleford, 1,000 in Easton and 7,000 in Sprowston and Rackheath, which includes the new eco-town.

One notable exception however, is the village of Mangreen, near Mulbarton, where last year an option was put forward to build 2,000 new homes between 2018 and 2026. That has now been put on hold.

Campaigners and villagers had reacted angrily to the plans, and now, alongside the public consultation, there will be fresh studies into the feasibility of completely new settlements in areas in South Norfolk, with Mangreen as the frontrunner.

But leader of South Norfolk Council John Fuller said this proposal would only move forward if the government demanded even more new homes.

He said: “It means that the proposal for a new village in Mangreen is deferred while the partners undertake detailed studies to demonstrate how it will be developed as fresh growth pressures emerge in years to come.

“It also finally lays to rest the fears of residents in Hethersett and Wymondham that their communities could double in size and it means that new jobs and houses can be spread more evenly across South Norfolk, rather than being bunched together in a narrow strip on the A11.”

“The agreement we have reached means that local people in Long Stratton will get a chance to have their say on the long-awaited bypass.”

The proposal by the group, made up of Broadland District Council, Norwich City Council and South Norfolk Council, also includes 1,800 new homes on smaller sites around South Norfolk and 2,000 homes on additional smaller sites around Broadland.

Leader of Norwich City Council Steve Morphew said there was an emphasis on preserving existing communities while creating new jobs, facilities and opportunities for the current communities.

He said: “This is about the future of the city and we really want people to have their say.

“What a number of people have said to us in the past is that it all appeared to be for people who might come and live in Norwich but we're looking at expansion from within so it's people who will look to set up their own households.

“What we want to demonstrate is there's a lot in this for existing communities.”

A public consultation will now begin on March 5, with details of how that will be conducted to follow.

Sorry to see that quite a few of the City centre projects have been put on hold, although I suppose it was to be expected. At least they haven't been cancelled as yet. The longer term projects such as new housing seem to keep being pushed along, there's obviously a semi urgent need for new houses in the area.

Anyway, thank you very much for the update

New hotel plan for Norwich's riverside

LAURA DEVLIN

Last updated: 15/05/2009 06:23:00
A global hotel brand has set its sights on a £120m complex of apartments and shops which could revitalise a derelict swathe of Norwich's riverside.

Hilton Garden Inn has signed head of terms with the developer of the St Ann's Wharf site to create a 125-bedroom hotel off King Street, on the opposite side of the river to Riverside.

City Living Developments' plans include 400 apartments and townhouses, extensive retail and leisure facilities and a £2.5m steel swing bridge across the River Wensum.

The hotel deal is expected to complete in June and will create the equivalent of 60 full-time jobs when the Hilton opens in 2011.

The Hilton Garden Inn, which describes itself as a mid-priced brand, opened its first hotel in England in Luton last year. It features conference rooms, a restaurant and bar, a gym and 24-hour snack shop, and offers rooms from about £55 a night.

City Living Developments chairman Garry Coaley said: “This is a great result for us and a real endorsement for the city of

Norwich.

“We have been working very closely with the city council to ensure that we optimise the right mix of uses to deliver a scheme of the highest quality for the people of Norwich.”

He said that residential sales at its other schemes, at nearby Paper Mill Yard and Samson and Hercules Court on Tombland, remained strong.

It is also in talks with a local businessman to open a Tombland restaurant which could specialize in local produce.

Work on the St Ann's Wharf bridge finally began in January after being touted in the 1980s as a key part of the city's regeneration, and then as a component of the Riverside development more than 10 years ago.

The development site is in a conservation area and includes the now demolished Norwich Brewery distribution depot and a former concrete batching plant between the rear of Dragon Hall and the river.

It would include basement parking for 305 residents' cars, off Mountergate, courtyards facing the river, shops, offices and restaurants, and a riverside walk.

In 2006, the city council recommended planning permission for the site subject to section 106 agreements, which included the bridge, road improvements and creating a courtyard by the 17th- century, grade II-listed Howard House.

Major convention centre planned in heart of Norfolk
ED FOSS

Last updated: 27/07/2009 06:00:00

A £300m conference and tourism complex featuring 8,000 hotel rooms and the largest convention centre in the UK could be built on farmland near Norfolk's new eco town.

It would swallow up more than four square kilometres of land around Rackheath, Woodbastwick and Salhouse and could include two golf courses, an outdoor stage for open air events and a new dual carriageway.

The ambitious plans were last night criticised as a “Disney World” for the Broads, though the London architects and planners who have created the vision said hundreds of jobs would be created and the complex would be unique in the UK through its combination of conference centre and tourist attraction.

Named the Norfolk Hub, an initial plan has been submitted to Broadland District Council.

Information is available online but campaigners at Stop Norwich Urbanisation (Snub) say it is not easily accessible, with hardly anyone aware of its existence and a fast-approaching deadline of early September for comments.

Matthew Wintersgill, architect behind the plan, told the EDP the concept was not set in stone but the idea of creating a combination of conferencing and tourism was its great strength because there was nothing like it currently in existence.

“The idea is that the two things work together in synergy,” said Mr Wintersgill. “Can it work? Absolutely.

“Norfolk has always been a backwater in economic terms. This would transform it.”

Mr Wintersgill said anyone wanting to organise a major event in this country was forced to use urban options such as Birmingham or London - the difference with Norfolk was its added value of beautiful surroundings.

Campaigners bent on opposing the complex alongside the fight against the Rackheath eco town said last night it would change the nature of the area beyond recognition.

“It will totally destroy Woodbastwick and Salhouse, this whole part of Broadland,” said David Hastings, Snub member and past chairman of Broadland District Council who lives at Salhouse.

“It will simply be a Disney World on the Broads. There are already grave concerns about the lack of water in this particular part of the country, how can you build something like this when such key infrastructure is already struggling?

“We are hugely concerned people are not aware of what is being put forward. I have asked many in Rackheath, Salhouse and Woodbastwick if they know about it and they say 'what are you talking about?'

“Something as big as this should already have been the subject of a public meeting, whatever stage it is at.”

Fellow Snub member Stewart Lindsay said: “It's frightening how information like this can be on websites, allowing the authorities to claim it is in the public domain, yet no one knows it's there.

“We live in one of the last bastions of England and this kind of plan, badly publicised as it is, will destroy what is left.”

Whether the scheme comes to fruition remains unclear, with Mr Wintersgill explaining that several other sites had been considered and a small number would continue to be potentially in the frame, but the site near Rackheath looked to be “the most promising so far”.

He said an anonymous potential funder was in place.

An estimated build time of around five years, plus a pre-build time of at least two or three years would mean there was a minimum of seven or eight years before completion.

He conceded the recession was a factor but because it was such a long term scheme there was hope the plan would “go over the top” of the recession.

Simon Woodbridge, Broadland Council leader, said he had no personal view on the plan, but added: “There will be a rigorous assessment. People need to make their views known about whether it is excessive or proportionate and if it has value for generating jobs.”

Angi Doy, the council's communications manager, said: “We are working through a communications campaign to raise awareness of the consultation as we want the public to have their say.

“We have provided parish councils in all the areas where a site has been proposed with site maps and posters promoting the consultation and have asked them to display these on their notice boards.”

The information was also on the council's mobile information centre and libraries in Aylsham, Wroxham and Norwich.

A Norfolk County Council spokesman said they were aware of the proposal, adding: “It is for the developers to make the case for the scheme in the context of the joint core strategy for the greater Norwich area.”


■Information about the scheme can be found at Broadland District Council's website under the dedicated pages for 'site allocations - public consultation on new potential development sites (July-September 2009)'.



If the plan goes ahead, architects Wintersgill claim it would create the largest single convention centre in the UK, surpassing the International Convention Centre in Birmingham in size and closely resembling American convention centres such as Baltimore, Milwaukee, Atlanta and Charlotte.

It could include:


■11 hotels, ranging from two to five stars, with a total of 8,000 rooms


■a convention centre providing three large halls of 12,000sq ft, 10,000 sq ft and 6,000 sq ft and 50 meeting rooms


■a new dual carriageway link to the national road network


■an outdoor stage for large scale open air events


■an indoor sports centre


■a new ultra light rail connection to the city and airport


■a small monorail running on a loop track inside the site


■lorry parks for event organisers


■shopping mall and floating restaurants


■new lake and canals


■all weather tropical water park under a glass enclosure


■two 18-hole golf courses

Found above story in EDP. Very interesting especially light rail connectivity. Can't wait to hear more!!!

Hi

I am new here and live near Norwich. Norwich is a fab city.

I dont undersatnd what people say about "a 14 storey block is undesirable for Norwich". Norwich has plenty of other high rise buildings such as the 10 storey Norwich Union (now Aviva) blocks, the 16 storey Normandie Tower and the 9 storey twin towers along St Stephens, the Norfolk Tower plus several more.

I think the new 14 storey block should be built and I am sure it will. It will give Norwich even more of a city feel. As long as it is away from the historical areas it should be fine. It is anyway as it is to be built on the old Lawrence Scott factories near Carrow Road. I disagree with the Norwich Societys theory that the city should clear away some of its high rise buildings. I dont think they affect the historic skyline too much. I am very doubtful that will happen except for the Westlegate Tower which could do with demolition or revamp. The historic skyline is still retained. I am all for this new 14 storey tower block. It will represent what is historic and modern combined about Norwich.

A few high rise buildings should be recladded I think though. I think the Normandie and Winchester Towers could do with recladding and maybe painting white.

Ben

from this mornings EDP24.......

......Shoppers heading to the region's retail capital could see it transformed as part of twin visions to transform Norwich into a better place to shop, live and work.

Norwich is among the country's top 10 shopping destinations and policymakers yesterday revealed that the separate blueprints to regenerate the city centre have both taken a major leap forward.

Businesses favour more walkways in the city to give customers easier access to shops, while there is a parallel drive to cut congestion in the city to improve the living and shopping experience of visitors and residents.

Closing Westlegate to cars and creating a link from the bus station to the Chapelfield shopping centre is at the heart of a new masterplan for the St Stephens Street area, which aims to shape the area's growth and development over the next two decades.

While city council chiefs yesterday signed off a £525,000 deal for the other side of the city to provide 40 low cost homes, play areas, and a St Augustines community hall as part of the new Anglia Square development.

Both projects have the potential to radically alter the city centre, with plans for public squares, walkways and new shops.

The St Stephens masterplan is a 120-page document which could be adopted as official council policy by the end of next year.

It imagines a city where both Westlegate House and St Stephens towers are demolished and there are more flats and apartments above city centre shops, while there is a vision to turn Queens Road into a tree-lined boulevard, and the St Stephens roundabout could also be removed.

While visitors to the city centre heading in from the A11 could pass two flagship eight storey buildings aimed at creating a gateway effect into Norwich at the southern end of St Stephens Street.

Richard Marks, general manager of John Lewis, which supports opening Westlegate to walkers, welcomed the city's vision to improve the area.

“The vibrancy of the city centre is absolutely key for us as a major retailer in Norwich,” he said. “The pedestrian links across the city are absolutely key for us to make it easier for people to cross through the different elements of the city

“Anything that improves that for the future has got to be good news,” Mr Marks said. “As far as Westlegate is concerned we have always said we would like to see the street improved and pedestrianising would be top of the agenda and future development could flow from that.”

Alec Hartley, chairman of the Norwich Society, said he supported the masterplan concept, though he had doubts about the new tower blocks.

“This is a good start,” he said. “A lot of the suggestions are good ones and it helps to set down guidelines for the future when the money starts to flow back and developers come forward.”

But much of the vision rests on the success of parallel policies to cut car use in the city centre which hinge on the building of the Norwich northern bypass (NDR) - with a decision expected on whether to recommend it to ministers for approval expected in December.

Ben Webster, the city council's design quality manager, who worked on the blueprint, said the idea was to create an area where people would live as well as work.

“If all these things are built in the way it is intended it will make a huge difference in the way this area feels, and the attractiveness and vibrancy of it,” he said. “Obviously the fact we are the middle of a recession is a massive problem, but this gives us a bit of breathing space in which we can plan so that when the serious interest does recover there is a framework here.

“I'm confident that things will start to happen fairly soon. I can't be specific about what that might be, but this isn't going to sit on the shelf. This is not going to be a glossy document that sits on the shelf.”

Brian Morrey, the council's executive member for sustainable city development, said: “This is an important document not only for people who shop, live and do business in this part of central Norwich, but also for people who pass through the area.

“This master-plan will shape this important part of the city centre for decades to come.”

Adrian Gunson, Norfolk County Council's Cabinet member for planning and transportation, said the NDR was vital if the St Stephens vision was to become a reality.

“Considerable challenges lie ahead in turning the visions for St Stephens, and supporting transport proposals for the wider Norwich area, into reality,” he said. “The full potential of St Stephens, the city centre and the greater Norwich area can only be realised through significant investment in infrastructure, and in this context government support for the Northern Distributor Road is vital.”

Meanwhile, the Anglia Square development moved closer after a deal with developers to fund a serious of improvements in the area.

City council planners approved a scheme for a comprehensive regeneration of the area for mixed use development in December 2008.

But it could not be formally issued until legal negotiations around funding for services and infrastructure - Section 106 agreements - had been completed.

The plans include detailed proposals for 198 homes, a food store, car parking, enhanced pedestrian, cycle and public transport accessibility, bridge link from St. Crispins and a new link road between Edward Street and Pitt Street - part of the planned gyratory system for the northern city centre.

Ranald Phillips, director at Centenary Asset Management, which is developing the area, said: “We were pleased to receive the formal planning decision notice which will allow construction of the link road to move ahead, hoped to be early in the New Year. This will mean the regeneration of Anglia Square can also move forward."

Mr Gunson added: “This is another important step forward for the St Augustines area, as well as for Anglia Square itself.

“We will be looking to conclude land agreements with the developer as soon as possible to allow a date to be set for the start of work on the link road, which is essential for the St Augustine's improvement proposals.”

For more information and to view the plans, log on to the Norwich City Council website at www.norwich.gov.uk

Alec Hartley, chairman of the Norwich Society, said he supported the masterplan concept, though he had doubts about the new tower blocks.


I strongly disagree with what Alec said about the towers. I am all for the two 8 storey towers. I dont see what the Norwich Society's problem is with tall buildings in the city and having an impact on certain historical views. The city needs to move with the times. There are still plenty of other historical viewpoints in the city.

The ageing twin towers along St Stephens need to go along with the Westlegate Tower. They are ugly buildings. But they should allow areas of the city for historical and newer developments with taller buildings. The 8 storey towers to be built will not deplete the historical views and building firms for the new development say the taller buildings will enhance the city feel of that end of the city.

Norwich is an expanding city. 1000s of new homes are to be built in the city by 2026. The actual built up area has about 200'000 people.

Due to its historic buildings, there isn't a great deal of high rise buildings in Norwich but there is a fair share such as the 10 storey Aviva towers, the 10 storey county hall and the new 8 to 10 storey Riverside Heights apartments plus a few new ones on the way at St Anne's Wharf and the Anglia Square redevelopment. For Norwich, Riverside Heights etc are high rise. There are also plans for a new landmark hotel on the St James Place site and new buildings for the St Marys Works.

http://www.norwich.gov.uk/webapps/news/news.asp?cid=6172

Plans for northern city centre one step closer


Far-reaching plans for the regeneration of Norwich’s northern city centre are to be formally adopted by Norwich City Council, after a report published today has found them to be sound.

The Northern city centre area action plan was considered by a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State in November last year.

The report by the inspector has been returned, and the council can begin the process of adopting the plan and using the policies when determining planning applications in the area.

Cllr Brian Morrey, city council member for sustainable city development, says: “I’m pleased to see this important document is one step closer to being adopted. “It will shape the future of this area of the city for years to come and holds comprehensive plans for improving housing, jobs, transport and the economy as well as bringing out the character of this historic part of Norwich.”

The area action plan sets out a strategy for the regeneration of the northern city centre, including the regeneration of Anglia Square, a new food store to serve the area, more office jobs, and transport improvements including the new £3.3 million St Augustine’s traffic gyratory system, currently under construction.

It is designed to attract investment and improve the economy, promote mixed-use regeneration, and create a distinctive identity based on culture, arts activities and heritage. The plan has been developed with contribution from interested parties including Norfolk County Council, which is providing the gyratory system. Residents, community representatives and businesses have helped to prepare it, and the council is currently working with them on delivering some of the planned projects. Work began on producing it more than three years ago and it looks forward to 2016. For more information and to view the report, log on to the Norwich City Council website at www.norwich.gov.uk

The plan has been developed with contribution from interested parties including Norfolk County Council, which is providing the gyratory system. Residents, community representatives and businesses have helped to prepare it, and the council is currently working with them on delivering some of the planned projects.

Work began on producing it more than three years ago and it looks forward to 2016.

Click here for more information and to view the report.

1 February 2010

Great Yarmouth is an improving area. It does have its fair share of problems but it has some great heritage and as I have lived near there all my life I feel at home there.

I wonder what will happen to Yarmouth House, the 6 storey 3 roofed Crown building near the library on the quayside as it has stood empty for a few years?

http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED26%20Jan%202010%2010%3A00%3A15%3A283

I think this looks pretty good from the basic render in the picture. Don't know where the road has gone though, maybe thinkng about pedestrianising it?

http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED26%20Jan%202010%2010%3A00%3A15%3A283

I think this looks pretty good from the basic render in the picture. Don't know where the road has gone though, maybe thinkng about pedestrianising it?

Interesting - is that suggesting the current store will be re-clad? Not sure about the street, certainly doesn't look as busy as the real thing! ;)

Tried to find out a bit more about the road, but no luck yet, it just doesn't seem like sense in my mind?
I believe the store will be fully reclad and a living wall also being used (seem to be in vogue at the moment don't they!)

The existing store will not be reclad. The "living wall" cladding will only be on the new extension which is on the corner currently occupied by 3 vacant stores which will be demolished.

I did hear that M&S would get a revamp. Apparently a 4 storey extension is to be built.

In Yarmouth Havenbridge House is due for a revamp. Although this was announced in 2007. Nothing has happened yet but I think that is due to the recession.

And the 3 roofed Yarmouth House is to be reused soon. A mate of mine on a group on Flickr goes in there every week to do maintenance. He says the council have been surveying the layout recently. It was built 1968-1970 and has a few faults but nothing a refurb cant fix. Apparently it is listed.

Here is a pic:-

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp92/benny1982/DSCN0079.jpg

New homes to be earmarked for certain places in Great Yarmouth. The area inbetween Havenbridge House and the Fullers Hill Roundabout are earmarked for a plaza of cafes and homes. At the minute that area is full of broken down factories and wasteground.

I think Great Yarmouth is now an up and coming area and many run down areas are set to be transformed beyond recognition.

http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/content/yarmouthmercury/news/story.aspx?brand=GYMOnline&category=news&tBrand=GYMonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED08%20Apr%202010%2013%3A42%3A07%3A653

I fucking hate people who slag Yarmouth off. It is like anywhere. It has its good and bad areas. Some of the low rise 1950s flats are a bit shabby and there are no go areas such as Cobholm, Barrack Estate and Middlegate which are full of druggies and low lifes but I like Yarmouth. It is my home town. The town centre, parish church, quayside and Regent Road are nice and some suburbs are nice such as North Denes and Lawn Avenue.

Andrew C you seem to like Yarmouth. The feeling is mutual.

Yarmouth is a great place...one of the most unusual and unique urban places in UK..the best two years of my life were spent there. Having grown up in rural Norfolk, I left home at sixteen and moved to Yarmouth, the first time I'd spent any time in a town. Have lived in many other places since. Now live on top floor of 20 storey block in East London overlooking Olympic Quarter but really enjoy going back to GY.

Here here.

I was born in GY and because I was bought up just outside I feel more at home in GY than I do in Norwich because until I started driving aged 21 I only went to Norwich about once or twice a year. I go about once a month now.

As a kid virtually every weekend we went up GY and sometimes after school to the library or quick late evening shopping. And I go into the town about once every 2 weeks.

Yarmouth does have areas full of druggies and criminals but most of them are hidden away behind the streets. I can tell a tale or two about some really skanky areas of Norwich.

Definitely needs a lot of work but it is a more historic and culturally rich town than many similar sized tourist towns. It benefits greatly from having its roots in being a very large (relative for that era) port of the pre-industrial revolution. Currently all that heritage is criminally underused.

Cobholm is a no go area of the town but on the whole Yarmouth is OK. Some areas are grim like Cobholm and the Barrack Estate but it does have its good areas such as Lawn Avenue and North Denes, the town centre and quayside and such plus all the history. I can think of much worse areas than Yarmouth.

And that Yarmouth House which I uploaded a pic of on here has been empty for 2 years now. It looks peaceful though as you can look up through the windows at the empty corridors and rooms.

Brilliant - a Norwich thread, I can't believe it's taken me so long to find it....

I'm pleased too that there is a Norwich thread; thought that there may not have been one.

Between 1995-97, I lived in Norwich growing up when my father worked for the big insurance company that was based there. I went to school in Drayton and Taverham and have lots of fond memories of Norwich and Norfolk itself. Amongst them were the Red Lion pub in the middle of Drayton, eating fish and chips at Cromer and going to the Safeway supermarket at Fakenham as it was the only local place we knew that sold Vegemite!

If there are more photos of Norwich and Norfolk I would love to see them!

I'm pleased too that there is a Norwich thread; thought that there may not have been one.

If there are more photos of Norwich and Norfolk I would love to see them!


Well, I hope with that request together with a new camera (unfortunately nothing special!) is excuse enough to post a few pictures of Norwich. I wasn't blessed with decent weather though. I start with construction and highrise to at least give the premise of being on-topic!

The old buildings have been pulled down and the extension of Marks & Spencer's has commenced. Apart from this, very little new construction going on at the moment.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/5442285298_761a139385.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56573247@N05/5442285298/)

Our brief foray into commercial mid/highrise didn't go all that well.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5442273026_fba4a142ec.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56573247@N05/5442273026/)

We more more successful over 900 years ago

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5441643863_e03ab62f8d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56573247@N05/5441643863/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/5442313578_3008743fc9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56573247@N05/5442313578/)

and a few for Essendon....

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5441715039_457ce75ac6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56573247@N05/5441715039/)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5441704185_d43a2a0927.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56573247@N05/5441704185/)

Assumed your father worked here
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5442251982_559e335507.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56573247@N05/5442251982/)
For those who remember the old bus station will understand how wonderful this picture is!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5442268052_2d5cace31f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56573247@N05/5442268052/)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5441720411_21865e5e4f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56573247@N05/5441720411/)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5442541598_6375cc7a2d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56573247@N05/5442541598/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/5441687575_4f795bc9cd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56573247@N05/5441687575/)

Great pics, good mix of areas! Wish there was more going on in Norwich in terms of construction as it would give us more of an excuse to show the city off!

Thanks for the photos Caveman. Very lovely.

Norwich doesn't change too much it seems over the years unlike my own city! The building in photo 6 and the bus station weren't around when I lived there.

Love Norwich Cathedral too!!

Brilliant pics.

Norwich is a fab city. Although some suburbs are shitty but I keep away. The city centre is probably one of the best in the UK.

I was walking around Walworth and Elephant & Castle in London yesterday and it reminded me a bit of Anglia Square just much bigger.

Great Yarmouth has its rough areas, the north end of the town in alright but the bits behind the Oasis Hotel, the library and near the power station are disgusting. Full of druggies and chavs with really baggy shellsuits or trackies with stains on them. Still not as bad as Corby. Some parts of the grubbier areas of London seem better that the south of Yarmouth or Corby.

As norfolklad said it has a mixture.

Maybe not exactly front page news, but quite an important development in Norwich's city centre given its central location:

Some photos from the BBC website here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-12762713)

From the Eastern Daily Press:

Norwich Memorial Gardens to be re-opened today - News - Eastern Daily Press

Today sees the long-awaited reopening of Norwich’s Memorial Gardens, which means the city finally has a place fit to remember its fallen heroes.

The £2.6m restoration project has transformed an area of contemplation which had become embarrassingly run-down and today’s re-opening ceremony brings to an end a lengthy and often painful saga.

The Memorial Gardens have been repaired, revamped and refurbished after more than six years of being off limits to the public.

At 2pm today, a Second World War veteran and a serving soldier will formally reopen the gardens, which sit on a terrace above Norwich Market, opposite City Hall.

As part of the restoration, the war memorial, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, was turned around to face City Hall and its rededication took place at an emotional ceremony on Armistice Day last year.

But, while veterans were delighted that the memorial had been turned around, enabling them to march past it, the hoarding still surrounded the Memorial Gardens, while work continued.

That all changes today, because at 2pm this afternoon, the public will finally be permitted back into the gardens, where a new sculpture has been created.

The turning around of the war memorial meant a space was created in the gardens and, in response to requests from English Heritage and local interest groups, the city council commissioned a new sculpture.

A group including veterans and the Peace Council selected award-winning sculptor Paul de Monchaux, whose work includes the Wilfred Owen memorial in Shrewsbury, the BBC Churchill memorial, and the memorial to Second World War slave workers in Jersey. The sculpture, called Breath will be unveiled at today’s ceremony and is a bronze companion to the war memorial.

It is designed to mark the furtherance of peace, hope and survival in contrast to the sombre message of the Lutyens monument.

The repair project saw a complete restoration and enhancement of the Grade II* listed structure on which the Memorial Gardens sit.

The building supporting the gardens has been repaired and new ramps put in to allow disabled access, while the gardens have been laid out with sensory plants to allow people with mobility problems or disabilities to enjoy them.

It has been a complex project and the city council has worked every step of the way with English Heritage to ensure each stone of the gardens and the memorial itself were put back exactly where they were before.

Norwich City Council worked on the scheme with architects NPS Property Consultants, construction company RG Carters, landscape architects The Landscape Partnership, construction consultants Stirling Maynard, and stonemasons Fairhaven and Woods.

A 6 storey block of flats in planned for Great Yarmouth near the Vauxhall Railway Station. I saw the advertisement on the building plot fence.

I have never been to Kings Lynn in West Norfolk, drove near it but never been in the town but have heard it is full of pikeys.

can anyone tell me where there is a thread with images of the Norwich cityscape.. skylines.. street scenes and so on?? need some for a project

A 6 storey block of flats in planned for Great Yarmouth near the Vauxhall Railway Station. I saw the advertisement on the building plot fence.

I have never been to Kings Lynn in West Norfolk, drove near it but never been in the town but have heard it is full of pikeys.

What made you post that completely irrelevant comment below one about a block of flats proposed for Yarmouth?

King's Lynn is no doubt as mixed in its demographic make-up as any other similarly sized town in Norfolk and beyond.

can anyone tell me where there is a thread with images of the Norwich cityscape.. skylines.. street scenes and so on?? need some for a project

If they are on this website then they will be on this thread. If not, sorry, can't help unless you just google.

When I get time I'll try and research and post about the farce that has been Yarmouth's outer port. Not going well.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-13717718

Norwich Anglia Square shopping centre plan gets go-ahead

Multi-million pound plans to redevelop Anglia Square shopping centre in Norwich have been approved.

The proposals, approved by the city council's planning committee on Thursday, will involve the widespread demolition of shops and the seven-storey Sovereign House office block.

It will be replaced with a larger shopping centre with a supermarket and restaurants and 136 new homes.

The new houses must include at least 49 more affordable homes.

http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/makeover_for_bus_station_at_market_gates_in_great_yarmouth_1_916530

Makeover for bus station at Market Gates in Great Yarmouth

THE much-maligned Market Gates bus station in Great Yarmouth is set for thousands of pounds of investment this year.

Maps, electronic signs and improvements to its appearance are among the things planned in an effort to make it more passenger-friendly.

The efforts follow on from widespread dismay at the facilities on offer, from out of date timetables to toilets that close too early.

Following an outcry last year in which the Mercury labelled the station’s appearance “appalling”, borough councillor Mike Taylor 
was one of five to form a sub-committee tasked with addressing the issue.

Mr Taylor, who has since left the group, gave a presentation this week to the Great Yarmouth Borough Council Scrutiny committee, signalling positive progress with some of the issues raised in conjunction with Norfolk County Council.

Following the meeting, he said the sub-committee had been working with Norfolk County Council to bring about change.

“Nothing had changed much and now there are changes being made, and it’s a mix of carrot and stick,” he said.

“I think we’re two fifths of the way there but I’m pleased with the progress because now transport users are being listened to.”

So far, Mr Taylor said updated timetables have been introduced by the county council, who are largely responsible for the site.

He added a letter from the borough council asking bus companies to tell drivers to turn their engines off while parked in the station for prolonged periods of time in the interests of air quality has also been heeded, with a year’s monitoring of the air also set to begin.

And more is expected over the course of this year, including electronic boards detailing incoming and outgoing buses expected to cost upwards of £50,000.

Jeremy Wiggin, travel development team manager at the county council, explained such boards would be funded by private developer contributions from the owners of Market Gates.

Additionally, broken or worn down timetable cases and bus flags would be replaced, with new maps of the area introduced detailing further transport links.

Mr Wiggin said: “We’ve got a good working relationship with the sub committee.

“It became clear if we were going to deliver anything meaningful we have to do it together.

“There will be a visual improvement in the facilities and I think people will see that quite quickly.”

About time it got a makeover. Yarmouth is getting several of these projects like Norwich is, on a smaller scale of course but still good in jazzing yarmouth up.

I tend to agree with Andrew about your view of Kings Lynn and comparing it to Yarmouth. Yarmouth has a mixture of chavs and civilised people and a fair share of each. Norwich has its fair share of mixed classes as well.

I need to try and do a bit of research to update a few projects going on in Norwich, if indeed anything is going on.

Just had a quick look and found this - made me almost homesick! It just encapsulates all the memories of seeing the city as a boy:


http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/polopoly_fs/web_clock_1_799502!image/1727132457.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_490/1727132457.jpg

Norwich city tower block redevelopment plans (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-14424016)

Plans for a major redevelopment of a Norwich landmark which had become an eyesore have been unveiled, after its sale to a property firm for about £1m.

The project could see parts of the office block Westlegate House, one of the first skyscrapers in the city when built in the 1960s, turned into flats.

The scheme, being spearheaded by FW Properties, would see the surrounding buildings redeveloped for shops.

The firm said it would apply to the council to change the building's use.

The 11-storey building on Westlegate has been empty for 12 years.

Ian Fox, co-director of FW Properties which has bought Westlegate House and some buildings surrounding it, said: "We hope to give the city centre something to be proud of.

"We are not intending the building to be used for offices."

Beat me to it, heartdeco!

lol 'skyscraper'.

I know, I had a LOL at that too.

I was in the city shopping (or should that be shar-pen) and I was thinking about how this tower needs to die or get a serious makeover, and then literally the next day I read that article. Very interested to see what happens there. :popcorn:

Cobholm is a no go area of the town but on the whole Yarmouth is OK. Some areas are grim like Cobholm and the Barrack Estate but it does have its good areas such as Lawn Avenue and North Denes, the town centre and quayside and such plus all the history. I can think of much worse areas than Yarmouth.

Cobholm is a "no go area" - you sure about that, because I'm not.

I moved down here 17 years ago from Garfield Road. It was supposed to be temporary while our house was rebuilt. I'd listened to people like you running the place down and thought I'd hate it.

What happened was that I found Cobholm no different to anywhere else, but with a better community spirit than I ever found in Newtown and North Yarmouth. There's a lively community centre, you walk in the pubs knowing nobody and come out knowing everybody, the neighbours are great, everybody knows each other. I've never seen a fight, never been burgled (or known anybody else who has), and I'm not afraid to walk the streets at night.

Cobholm isn't a "no go area", but I guess there are a lot of "no go minds".

Sorry but Cobholm is a fucking shithole. Your opinion is biased because you live there. I despise Lowestoft as well. Cobholm is the armpit of Norfolk. It is a fucking dump.

You must be sad for setting up an account just to post one post and defend a chavhole and call yourself Cobholmfella. No wonder Yarmouth is nicknamed Yarco and should be twinned with Chavildon or Dale Farm gypsy camp in Essex. I take back my good points on Yarco. It is a shithole as is Chavistoft sorry Lowestoft.

Norwichjewels, stop being a twat. Yarmouth is no worse than the majority of similar sized towns and frankly Cobholm has improved vastly with the new Tesco and townhouses.

I visited Norwich for the first time this week and was impressed. I think it's a really nice city and overlooked by many people. It's well worth a visit.

Norwichjewels, stop being a twat. Yarmouth is no worse than the majority of similar sized towns and frankly Cobholm has improved vastly with the new Tesco and townhouses.

The only twat round here is you Andy. I did like you when I first joined this forum but I soon found out what you are really like. That is why I removed you from my friend list afterwards.

The only twat round here is you Andy. I did like you when I first joined this forum but I soon found out what you are really like. That is why I removed you from my friend list afterwards.

What am I really like? :dunno:

Man posts comments about his local area based on his own observations and seems to describe the place as actually safe and with a good community spirit. You respond with this foul-mouthed diatribe:


Sorry but Cobholm is a fucking shithole. Your opinion is biased because you live there. I despise Lowestoft as well. Cobholm is the armpit of Norfolk. It is a fucking dump.

You must be sad for setting up an account just to post one post and defend a chavhole and call yourself Cobholmfella. No wonder Yarmouth is nicknamed Yarco and should be twinned with Chavildon or Dale Farm gypsy camp in Essex. I take back my good points on Yarco. It is a shithole as is Chavistoft sorry Lowestoft.

in which you offer absolutely no real arguments whatsoever about what you feel is wrong with Cobholm or Great Yarmouth as a whole but instead merely repeat your bitter name-calling whilst also finding space to bring up and offend Gypsies whom you also presumably have some kind bitter vendetta against, just like people from Yarmouth by the sounds of it.


And if you think I'll give any more thought except that shown in this post about what a dimwitted lunatic like you thinks of me, Yarmouth or anything else, then you clearly haven't managed to work out what makes you and me different. Turn off the PC, grow up and live a little - you may begin to realise what the real world is like rather than the world where you sit on the internet slagging off towns based on nothing but childish tribalism.

You need to do some growing up Codling. I have a life and am not on the PC all the time like you wrongly accuse me of. You know jack about me anyway. As said I did think you were alright when I first joined this forum but it seems we are enemies now.

Oh my god, you are a fucking embarrassment. 'Enemies'?! Grow up.

^^ Thanks for a great read. :lol:

It's what Norfolk is all about ;)

Plan for a revamp of Havenbridge House put on hold. Great Yarmouth.

http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/yarmouth_iconic_building_s_facelift_put_on_ice_after_pull_out_1_1090420

Havenbridge House is not "iconic" but it is an interesting building, yet it is regarded an eyesore to the town. I have been in it a few times and it needs a lot of work done to it inside and out.

It is bright and welcoming inside but very dated and half the building is empty and looks set to remain that way for a while. They may end up selling the building and pulling it down to restore the towns skyline.

The 3 storey Yarmouth House is wacky with the 3 roofs yet that has stood empty for 3 years.

Northern bypass for Norwich moves slowly forward. It looks like under the current plans it will not link up as a full circular route though - please correct me if I am wrong!

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/86m_government_funding_agreed_for_northern_bypass_1_1153445

The controversial new road will run to the east and north of Norwich with a new junction onto the A47 at Postwick.

The Department for Transport will contribute £86.5m towards a total cost for the scheme of £111.1m.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening said today that, altogether, communities across England will benefit from £854m worth of investment in 21 local transport schemes with an overall DfT contribution of £586m.

Derrick Murphy, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “This is great news and a tremendous shot in the arm for the Norfolk economy.

“I applaud the government for recognising the economic potential of both the Postwick junction improvement and the NDR.

“People who have the long-term interests of Norfolk and its residents at heart will understand that the NDR is vital to the economic future of a wide area of north-east Norwich and north Norfolk.

“This is good news for jobs, for businesses and for people needing housing. It will also bring environmental improvements for many communities and the city centre by bringing relief from congestion and rat-running traffic.”

The news was also welcomed by Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, who said construction work at the Postwick improvement could start later next year.

He added: “The Postwick junction improvement is also the first, critical, and most costly section of the NDR, which is itself essential to the wider transport strategy for Norwich.

“This is because it takes pressure off the city centre, surrounding roads and fringe parishes, allowing the development of high quality public transport, including Bus Rapid Transit, and improvements for cyclists and pedestrians. Without the road space provided by the NDR, opportunities for developing a modern sustainable transport system for the Norwich area are seriously limited.”

Andrew Proctor, chairman of the Greater Norwich Development Partnership and leader of Broadland District Council, said the announcement paved the way for new jobs and new homes.

And Leader of Norwich City Council, Brenda Arthur added: “The NDR will allow us to deliver the Norwich Area Transportation Strategy, which would mean less traffic in the city centre, and improved bus routes and cycle routes. It is for this reason that we have supported the NDR.”

The news was also welcomed by Norwich International Airport bosses.

However, while the announcement secures funding for the Norwich NDR, a number of statutory processes need to be completed, including planning approval for all except the Postwick Hub junction improvement.

And the allocation of NDR funding is conditional upon progress being made on the sustainable transport elements of the Norwich Area Transportation Strategy.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening said: “We are investing in schemes that will provide better access to jobs and services, reduce congestion and enable more goods to move more easily around our country. This will be £1.4bn invested in local communities to build the transport system we need to get the economy back on track.”

Im surprised to see that the plans for Westlegate House seem to have passed the thread by. Here is an Evening News article showing a picture (and links to others) of the proposed reclad of the tower:

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/photo_gallery_and_video_revamp_plans_for_norwich_s_westlegate_house_revealed_1_1208293

a link to more images:
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/photo_gallery_and_video_revamp_plans_for_norwich_s_westlegate_house_revealed_1_1208293

Im not too positive on the new design on the tower, I think it should be more sleek and less complicated but its 100% better then what we have at the moment!

Interesting. Adding 2 floors would cause the Norwich Society to kick up as they saw the building as an eyesore but they may rethink when they revamp the place and perhaps have it blend in a bit more.

Great Yarmouth has been given the green light for the new casino.

http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/odeon_and_travelodge_sign_up_to_be_part_of_great_yarmouth_s_large_casino_complex_1_1368157

Some people are moaning saying it will blight the area but it wont as it is more than just a casino. It will have bars, restaurants and a cinema and hotel. It will boost the towns economy.

And Yarmouth House down yarmouth Way in the town may be turned into residential flats as Oakwell Homes have submitted a planning application after they bought the 6 floor 3 roofed building.

The green light has been given for the revamp of Westlegate Tower.

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/ambitious_plans_to_revamp_norwich_eyesore_westlegate_house_get_green_light_1_1380728

Hooray. Lets hope they get a move on and start work. Two more storeys will be added to the building making it 13 floors.

Wheey! Hopefully the cladding will be of high quality so we dont end up with another grubby/dated tower in 10 years time...

Great Yarmouth has been given the green light for the new casino

I don't really see what the fuss is about with that casino, like you say it will add other facilities not present in GtY and it seems like it has a high quality design... My only problem with it is that it seems a bit out of the way of the main shopping street/beachfront...

The new casino is about a mile out from the town centre. It will regenerate that part of the town. The north end of the seafront of Great Yarmouth is quite swanky and has some posh houses and Ocean Ways overlooking the sea which are gardens and small rivers to take a boat ride, away from the busy Marine Parade.

The council say no to Harford Place, Norwich:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-19659337

I thought with the new planning rules they had to give a decent reason not to give permission. Job creation is very hard at the mo so anything like this should have the welcome mat out! Stupid twats

Norwich Asda store and retail park plans resubmitted

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-19969688

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/63526000/jpg/_63526870_asdanorwichproposedview1.jpg

Plans for a second Asda supermarket and a retail park in Norwich have been resubmitted without any changes, despite them previously being rejected.

Norwich City Council's planning committee voted 5-4 against the proposals on the former Bally Shoe factory site, on Hall Road, last month. Asda said the planners' concerns had been addressed in a covering letter.

Council leader Brenda Arthur criticised the planners' original decision, which meant the potential loss of 400 jobs. Asda plans to build a superstore, pub, gym, restaurant and business units on the brownfield site.

Stephen Little, Green councillor at Norwich City Council, was one of the planners that opposed the firm's plans. In September he stated he was not convinced of the scale of the jobs promised and was worried that local shops' trade would be affected.

An Asda spokesman said more than 90% of people who were consulted on the proposals were in favour of the store and the company was "surprised" and "disappointed" at the planners' verdict.

Council leader Brenda Arthur, Labour, said she supported the plans.

A new public consultation will run until 7 November.

The earliest the planning committee can review the application is on 6 December.



Here is Asda's website on the development: Asda Harford Place, Norwich (http://asdaharfordplace.co.uk/)

I do realise my comments a while ago on Yarmouth was a bit harsh. I think it is a town with its good and bad areas and Cobholm is quite safe and is an improving area. I go into Yarmouth a lot taking photos. It is my home town and I have lived near there all my life.

Yarmouth House, that 6 storey office block with the 3 pyramid roofs is being converted into flats and I cannot wait for The Edge to be built as it will be more than just a casino.

Some pictures of Westlegate Tower and the plans for it's re-design:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8474858741_323af44734_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8474858741_323af44734_z.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2431/3566955621_c89688e223_z.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2431/3566955621_c89688e223_z.jpg

http://www.edp24.co.uk/polopoly_fs/wh_all_saints_view_1_1208292!image/2211613384.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/2211613384.jpg

http://www.edp24.co.uk/polopoly_fs/wh_all_saints_view_1_1208292!image/2211613384.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/2211613384.jpg

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/pictures/741x405/2/0/1/1751201_Westlegate-5th-Stud-web.jpg

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/pictures/741x405/2/0/1/1751201_Westlegate-5th-Stud-web.jpg

An interesting article on the new Westlegate Tower:

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/buildings/bd-reviews/drawing-board/westlegate-tower-norwich-by-5th-studio/5050278.article

It seems to have gone through a slight re-design in regards to the cladding pattern, as this news article shows. Not too keen on the new developments...

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/photo_gallery_8m_redevelopment_of_westlegate_house_in_norwich_set_for_completion_next_spring_1_2185727

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/polopoly_fs/westlegate4_1_2185726!image/3325719862.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/3325719862.jpg

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/polopoly_fs/westlegate4_1_2185726!image/3325719862.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/3325719862.jpg

It even has it's own promotional video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMnNdQyp7Eg