Object

Representation ID: 22540

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Historic England

The Northern City Centre
Historic England recognise that this area contains a number of key brownfield sites and understand the importance of regeneration in the area for the city as a whole.
The allocation proposes the redevelopment of Anglia Square at a density similar to that proposed in the planning application currently before the Secretary of State. We consider that any development of the scale envisaged would cause a high degree of harm to the character and appearance of the City Centre conservation area, as well as harm of varying degrees to many designated heritage assets, including some of the city’s most important.
Evidence prepared by Historic England for the Inquiry suggested that 600 dwellings, rather than 1200 would be a more appropriate scale. Historic England has also expressed fundamental concern regarding the proposed landmark building and in particular its height. The Norwich skyline is important to the character of the town as a whole and in particular the City Centre Conservation Area. For a number of years we have stated that development should not break the skyline in the City.
There are clearly differences of opinion in relation to this site in particular but a number of key principles can be drawn from this case and applied to other redevelopment sites in the City.
They are as follows:
 Development should be of a scale and massing in keeping with the surrounding area;
 Development should respect and reinterpret the historic grain, street layouts, burgage plots and morphology of the City;
 Development should avoid breaking the skyline or competing with historic landmark buildings across the City;
 Development should use materials in keeping with the historic fabric of the City.
It will be necessary to review the policy in the light of the Inspectors findings in relation to Anglia Square.

Suggested Change:
Include key principles for development within the Plan.
Review policy in light of Inspectors findings.