Plans to transform the former industrial area of east Norwich into a highly sustainable quarter for the city have taken a step forward following the recent appointment of consultants, Avison Young.
The consultants have now begun work on producing a masterplan for the area – which will be steered by the East Norwich Partnership (ENP) – a public-private body composed of a number of key stakeholders.
Thanks to the work of partners, they successfully secured approximately £600,000 worth of funding to cover the costs of developing the master plan and associated project fees – money which was sourced from a mixture of Towns Deal funding from government as well public and private funding from members of the partnership.
Once the traditional industrial heartland of the city, the masterplan area for east Norwich covers three main sites:
Carrow Works
The Deal Ground (and former May Gurney site)
The Utilities Site
With much preparation and engagement work to be done over the coming year or so, the east Norwich site holds the key to the council’s aspirations to unlock its potential and deliver thousands of homes and jobs.
The brief for the masterplan has a vision which includes the creation of a highly sustainable new quarter of the city, with the potential to harness a range of economic, social and environmental benefits.
In addition to supporting substantial housing and employment growth, the masterplan will enable exemplary development to be delivered from a sustainability point of view, including high quality green infrastructure, enhanced connectivity and biodiversity, sustainable transport links between the city centre and the Broads, and maximising the area’s river regeneration potential.
The preparation of the masterplan officially started on 4 March, with a project inception meeting between the consultant team and the partnership. As a result, the first steps will be to begin an engagement strategy in the summer with landowners, key members and committees. During this period we will also be seeking public opinion on what residents might like to see delivered on this site.
Graham Nelson, director of place for Norwich City Council, said: “East Norwich presents the city with a regeneration opportunity that could be transformational.
“We remain committed to maximising the regeneration potential of this site, as we have for many years.
“There are a number of important stepping stones for this important project with the masterplan expected to be complete by March 2022.
“Key to this will be the views of our residents which will be an important part of the consultation process for the project and will ensure we take on board all the different voices as we move forward.
“We will publish a timetable of all our various important activities on our website as soon as we can so that everyone can have their say on such an important regeneration project for the city, its residents and businesses.”