GNLP0506

Firstly I would like to say that it has not been easy to respond to this consultation because of the lack of clarity of the web site. I had to ring up and be talked through this. My objection is very late. Previous attempts have been unsuccessful. I know a lot of people who objected to the Anglia Square proposals who have not been able to navigate the web site.

I live in the North City area of Norwich in XXXX Road. I feel very fortunate to live in such an attractive and old part of the city which has many beautiful buildings and attractive areas. I think Anglia Square is not the most attractive site as it stands currently. I think it was a design mistake when it was built. The old HMSO building is a very unattractive building too and is a throwback to the worst the 1960's had to offer in development terms. I don't want these buildings to be replaced by other unwanted buildings that detract from the beauty of the area.

I object to a high rise building being built in the Anglia square area or anywhere around the city. But the North of the city is a beautiful and historic area of the city with a sky line currently dominated by the spire of the cathedral. This area needs a building that will not spoil the skyline of the North of the city. Views from the Sewell Park would be spoilt and views from Mousehold. Norwich attracts a lot of visitors because it is such an attractive city. I don't want commercial forces to destroy the unspoiled nature of the city. A high rise building of this magnitude would be detrimental to the design of the city. Commercial forces should not have priority over the resident's of Norwich's quality of life. I think the redevelopment of the Anglia Square area is a good idea but not the current plan of a high rise building that will spoil the city.

The height of the new student accommodation on St Benedicts has also risen too high for my liking. It's great to have more accommodation but not to the determent of the unique skyline that Norwich has. We all want it to remain a fine city.

I am like many very concerned
about proposed development,
for a number of reasons.

I believe it to be ill-thought through
and that it will bring little real benefit to the area.
A great opportunity lost.

I have lived in this city for 40 years
and feel that it has some great strengths
but also some weaknesses
of which I could list a few.

Norwich needs to be a peoples' city
not just one for the rich.
We have far too many social injustices here
eg homelessness and debt
and regretably drug related crime,
which should all be addressed as a first priority
Big capital expenditure projects
overlook the people
they pertain to serve
and this is a case in point.

The whole project in addition will be vastly expensive
with a huge debt to service well into the future.

That Anglia Sq has suffered over many years
owing to under investment
is not in doubt
The solution proposed however, is not the answer.

Building a 20 storey tower as the centrepice, while the Grenfell enquiry has only just begun
(All tower blocks round the whole ccountry will have to be H&S inspected
so this idea is reckless in the extreme.I also see a hotel as being totally for the wealthy.

That Magdalen St has survived at all through all these years of neglect
is a tribute to the variety of traders and shops.
Buses are also well used.
It has plenty of potential, but should not be allowed to be taken over by a big consortium
which will pay no tax
and land us with a big debt when we really do not need one.

This is anti-democratic and will only generate ill-will among all those who now benfit from the Anglia Sq community.

Please reconsider therefore the current proposal
which will also take several years to complete
and involve us in endless traffic problems as well.

Unlike other allocation policies there is no reference to water efficiency forming part of the design.

On behalf of our client, intu Properties PLC (“intu”), we write to make representations to the Draft Greater Norwich Local Plan (Sites Document). Intu own the freehold interest of Chapelfield Shopping Centre which is in the heart of Norwich City Centre. It is a major attraction for visitors to the City Centre and is a key contributor to the City Centre’s overall vitality and viability. Our comments relate specifically to Policy GNLP0506 – Anglia Square.
We do not have any objection to the principle of the regeneration of Anglia Square, rather intu wish to ensure that any future redevelopment of Anglia Square will be appropriate to its role and function as a large district centre. Similar comments have been made by intu on the ‘called in’ application for redevelopment of Anglia Square which has recently been subject to a Planning Inquiry in January 2020.
Draft Strategy Policy 6 ‘The Economy’ identifies Anglia Square / Magdelen Street as a 2nd tier ‘Large District Centre’ below Norwich City Centre. Draft Strategy Policy 6 states:
The development of new retailing, leisure, offices and other main town centre uses will be subject to the sequential approach, as defined by Government policy and guidance, and will be encouraged at a scale appropriate to the form and functions of the following hierarchy of defined centres:
1. Norwich City Centre;
2. The town centres of Aylsham, Diss, Harleston and Wymondham, and within the Norwich urban area, the large district centres of Anglia Square / Magdalen Street and Riverside; (our emphasis)
Paragraph 286 of the draft Strategy under the preamble to Policy 7.1, acknowledges that Policy 6 places the city centre retail area at the top of the retail hierarchy with the large district centres ‘providing a complementary role and meeting more day to day needs’.
Clearly, the draft Strategy Greater Norwich Local Plan seeks to ensure that redevelopment of Anglia Square will be appropriate to the form and function of its role as a Large District Centre. The redevelopment of Anglia Square will therefore need to serve the daily needs of its existing and proposed resident populations (for example, in relation to convenience shopping provision). Furthermore, its retail offer should be distinct from the primary retail functions of the City Centre and compliment rather than compete with the City Centre.
However, the Site-Specific Allocation for Anglia Square (Policy GNLP0506) is silent on the need for the redevelopment proposals to create a form of development that is appropriate to its role and function as a large district centre.
In order to ensure compatibility with the draft Strategy document of the Greater Norwich Local Plan, it is necessary for site specific Policy GNLP0506 to recognise the need for any scheme coming forward to complement rather than compete with the city centre in terms of trading potential, to serve the day to day convenience needs of its resident hinterland, and will be appropriate to its role and function as a large district centre (recognising its position in the local retail hierarchy).
Suggested amendments to draft Policy GNLP0506
We propose the following amendments to draft Policy GNLP0506 (additional text shown as in quote marks "". Text to be removed shown in Double brackets (()))

Land at and adjoining Anglia Square, Norwich (approx. 4.79 hectares) is allocated for residential-led, mixed-use development as the focus for an ((enhanced and)) improved large district centre and to act as a catalyst for wider investment and redevelopment within the Northern City Centre strategic regeneration area as defined in policy 7.1 of this plan.
The site will deliver in the region of 1200 homes to provide affordable housing in accordance with policy 5, subject to viability considerations.
The development will achieve the following site-specific requirements:
• Delivery of a comprehensive, mixed use regeneration scheme which can include residential development, student accommodation, retail units, offices and flexible workspace, hotel, leisure and hospitality uses and community facilities as part of a balanced mix;
• "To create retail and leisure provision that will complement rather than compete with the city centre;"
• "To deliver an enhanced large district centre which will continue to perform a different role and function to the city centre in accordance with the retail hierarchy set out in Policy 6;"
• Phasing (where appropriate) to be agreed;
• An ((significantly)) improved retail/leisure offer providing a continuous active frontage between Magdalen Street and St Augustine's Street;
• Removal of the derelict and long-term vacant buildings from the site, including Sovereign House and the existing multi-storey car park;
• ((Delivery of replacement high quality decked public car parking to serve the large district centre;))
• "Delivery of sustainable transport solutions to reduce the need to travel particularly by car;"
• Achievement of high quality, locally distinctive and energy efficient design with scope for a landmark building or buildings providing a new focal point for the Northern City Centre and sited to conserve and enhance heritage assets and their settings;
• High quality landscaping, planting and biodiversity enhancements;
• Low-car or car-free housing where consistent with scheme viability;
• Significant improvements in connectivity and permeability across the site to deliver new and enhanced pedestrian and cycle links north-south between Edward Street and St Crispin's Road, and east-west between Magdalen Street and St Augustine's and improved integration with the surrounding network;
• High quality public realm improvements creating attractive, legible and user-friendly streets and public spaces both within the site and adjacent to it on Magdalen Street (including land under the flyover);
• A mobility hub featuring shared transport services (buses, car club and bike share) centred on Magdalen Street in the vicinity of the flyover that is easily accessible on foot and by bicycle to promote use of sustainable transport modes by residents, visitors and other users;
• Heritage interpretation measures to be incorporated in accordance with Policy 3 of this plan.
The site is likely to accommodate in the region of 1200 homes, a minimum of 120 of which will be affordable, providing a mix of affordable tenures consistent with identified needs at the time of submission of a planning application and subject to viability.
The above suggested amendments will ensure that the redeveloped large district centre will be distinct from the primary retail and leisure functions of the city centre and increase sustainable transport use and local transport solutions reflecting its role and function in meeting more day-to-day needs.

Consultation response on behalf of Cathedral, Magdalen and St. Augustine’s Forum submitted by Co-chairs Pipa Clements and Hugh McGlyn

See attached for full submission

REGULATION 18 DRAFT GREATER NORWICH LOCAL PLAN
REPRESENTATIONS: POLICY GNLP0506 – ANGLIA SQUARE
On behalf of our client, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, and its development partner for the Anglia Square proposals, Weston Homes Plc, we hereby submit representations to the Regulation 18 Draft Greater Norwich Local Plan (GNLP).

Anglia Square is the most significant regeneration site in Norwich City Centre and currently the subject of a ‘call-in’ public inquiry for comprehensive redevelopment comprising up to 1,250 homes (including a minimum of 120 affordable homes), hotel, ground floor retail and commercial floorspace, cinema, multistorey car parks, place of worship, and associated works to the highway and public realm.

Accordingly, we support the provisions of Policy GNLP0506 which allocates land at and adjoining Anglia Square for residential-led mixed use development as the focus for an enhanced Large District Centre and to act as a catalyst for wider investment in Norwich City Centre.

We consider it a realistic prospect that the site will deliver in the region of 1,200 homes including a minimum of 120 affordable homes. This accounts for viability considerations and is consistent with the current proposals for Anglia Square.

For full representation, please refer to attached documents