Norwich awarded millions to lead the way on national home building

This follows news that Homes England has awarded the authority an additional £19m from the Housing Infrastructure Fund bringing the total grant to £34m as part of its plans to regenerate Anglia Square.

Councillor Mike Stonard, Leader of Norwich City Council, said: “This is a fantastic start to the New Year. It means thanks to the government we have the funding to crack on and start building the new Anglia Square with hundreds of affordable homes for local people. 

“Norwich has always been innovative, progressive and has been at the vanguard of change over the years and now we are leading the way in building hundreds of new homes.”

Pauline Schaffer, Director of Infrastructure Funding at Homes England, said: “Funding from the Housing Infrastructure Fund will enable the council to get on with the regeneration of Anglia Square into a new community of affordable homes for the people of Norwich. This is a significant moment for the Anglia Square project and an excellent example of how we are helping local authority partners like Norwich City Council to create new homes and thriving places people can be proud of."

Today’s announcement follows news of the purchase of Anglia Square from Colombia Threadneedle Investments in December last year.

The funding covers the council’s costs for acquisition, demolition, remediation, bringing forward the development of Anglia Square.

The council acquired the site after several years of uncertainty and unsuccessful development attempts marking a major milestone in its ambitious plans to transform Anglia Square.

The council will now work at pace to take forward development of Anglia Square based on the current planning consent.

Development plans include 1,100 new homes, a variety of retail, office and leisure spaces with vibrant landscaped gardens, a new neighbourhood centre, public realm and important new cycling links across the city. 

Demolition of the site is expected to start in the spring, with the council working with existing traders and tenants to provide business support, including help with relocation to a planned box park near Anglia Square or alternative premises elsewhere in the city.