Norfolk and Norwich Thread

[Caveman]

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/conte...A38%3A36%3A740

[nuhouse]

Originally Posted by Caveman

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.

[AndrewC]

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.

[nuhouse]

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/conte...A19%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

[nuhouse]

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/conte...A54%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.”

[Caveman]

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?

[nuhouse]

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/conte...A12%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.

[nuhouse]

Originally Posted by Caveman

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.

[AndrewC]

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.

[nuhouse]

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/conte...A29%3A12%3A427

14-storey flats plan for city



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.

----------

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.

[nuhouse]

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

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/conte...A36%3A42%3A777

First look at Memorial Gardens plan







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.”

[AndrewC]

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...

[Caveman]

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.

[Audiomuse]

I love Norfolk

[RichD26]

Work to start on former brewery site

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/conte...A27%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."

[Caveman]

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

[RichD26]

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

[Gingerblokey]

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.



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.

[AndrewC]

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.

[Gingerblokey]

Originally Posted by AndrewC

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.


Station Area


Conge Area

Just one of my many fantasy redevelopments of Great Yarmouth.