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Anglia Square
Big changes are coming to Norwich. A £350 million revamp - powered by a £34 million Homes England grant and a major deal with Aviva Capital Partners - is set to transform one of the city’s most overlooked areas. Over 1,100 new homes, plus shops, workspaces, green spaces, and a buzzing new container village near Magdalen Street are all on the way. This page will keep you in the loop from demolition to delivery.
The redevelopment of Anglia Square is underway.
Thanks to a £34m grant from Homes England and a new landmark agreement between the council and Aviva Capital Partners, the redevelopment of the 11-acre site former shopping centre will deliver 1,100 new homes, including at least 50 percent affordable homes in the first two phases, and a range of leisure and retail spaces and community facilities.
On this page you will be able to see updates on the redevelopment from demolition to delivery and news on the new ‘container village’ in nearby Magdalen Street.
It’s all part of the council’s ambition to make England’s finest city its fairest.
Project scope and vision
Location: Anglia Square, just outside Norwich city centre.
Size: Approximately 11 acres (4.65 hectares).
Investment: £350 million, led by a partnership between Aviva Capital Partners and Norwich City Council, with support from Homes England.
Purpose: To revitalize one of the 10% most deprived areas in England, creating a sustainable, inclusive urban hub.
What’s being built
- Housing: up to 1,100 new homes, including a mix of market sale and affordable units.
- Commercial space: up to 8,000 sqm of flexible retail, office, leisure, and community space.
- Public realm: landscaped gardens, pedestrian-friendly areas, and a community hub.
- Parking: around 450 spaces, with a focus on residential use and car club options.
Timeline and planning
- Planning approval: hybrid planning permission (Ref: 22/00434/F) is in place, allowing phased development.
- Start deadline: construction of the detailed phase must begin by July 2026, with reserved matters applications due by July 2028
- Demolition: Sovereign House, a derelict 1960s office block, will be demolished. This is a key step in clearing the site for redevelopment.
Interim use and community support
A temporary “box park” made from shipping containers will be set up under the nearby flyover to house displaced businesses and attract new ones during construction.
Economic and social impact
- Jobs: estimated to create over 3,500 jobs during construction and operation.
- Local economy: expected to inject up to £36 million annually into Norwich’s economy.
- Social benefits: addresses fuel poverty, unemployment, and income deprivation in the Mancroft Ward.
