Broadway Malyan’s revised proposals to build a tower in the heart of Norwich are set to go ahead, despite Historic England’s claim that the scheme would “disrupt” the cityscape 

The £270 million (US$344 million) scheme for Weston Homes and landowner Columbia Threadneedle includes 1,250 flats on a shopping center in Anglia Square and has been recommended for approval by city planners. 

The development of the 4.5-hectare city center site, to be decided on Thursday (6 December 2018) will see existing 1960s buildings cleared to make way for the homes, alongside 11,000 square meters of retail and commercial space, a 200-bed hotel, a new cinema and a new home for Surrey Chapel. 

The scheme’s centerpiece is a 20-story high-rise with 70 homes, which was cut back by five stories after protests from Historic England earlier this year. 

But despite the changes, the heritage watchdog remains resolutely opposed to the development.  

Its east of England planning director, John Neale, said: “Norwich is one of Europe’s great historic cities containing more medieval churches than any city north of the Alps and has large numbers of exceptional historic buildings, streets and spaces rich in character. 

“While we recognize Anglia Square is in need of redevelopment, this 20-story tower is not the answer.”  

Objections have also been sent by the Norwich Society, Norwich Cathedral, The Council for British Archaeology, and SAVE Britain’s Heritage. 

But Norwich planning officers have argued that the existing shopping center is “outdated” and its visible signs of vacancy and dereliction both “blight the image” of the city center and send a negative message to the development sector.  

The officers said: “The cumulative harm identified above is to some extent offset by other beneficial aspects of the development for the historic environment. These benefits have been scarcely acknowledged by Historic England.” 

Historic England has said that if Norwich City Council approves the scheme this Thursday, it will ask the secretary of state to intervene. 

Weston Homes and Broadway Malyan have been approached for comment. 

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