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Norwich Can Breathe A Sigh of Relief

14 November 2020

Norwich Can Breathe A Sigh of Relief

Cllr Martin Schmierer at Anglia Square

It was announced tonight that the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, had rejected controversial proposals for the redevelopment of Anglia Square. [1]

The Secretary of State’s ruling means that the £271m revamp of Norwich’s Anglia Square shopping centre cannot go ahead.

He highlighted the inappropriateness of the proposed 20-storey tower saying it was of “excessive size in relation to its context”, and that, along with the height and massing of the individual blocks, would be “uncharacteristic” in the Norwich City Centre Conservation Area.

Responding to the news, local Green councillor, Martin Schmierer, who had been active in the campaign against the proposals, said he was relieved by the decision.

Councillor Schmierer said:

“As one of the local councillors who has been opposing the current proposals for the last three years or so, I am obviously relieved by the decision. We have always supported efforts to seek an alternative for this site that has the support of the local community. This is now an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and create a scheme that respects the heritage of the city of Norwich, supports the local economy and works for the community.”

He continued:

“As a local councillor I fully understand the need for this site to be re-developed, but it needs to be in a way that is appropriate for the city of Norwich. The proposals, if they had been built, would have simply resulted in another eyesore. It’s a real shame that Norwich City Council pursued this project and wasted so much taxpayers’ money, given the strength of opposition from so many groups and institutions as well as the local community. The people of Norwich can breathe a sigh of relief tonight that what would have been a costly, multi-million pound mistake will not be going forward.”

Further information:

Councillor Martin Schmierer                       m.schmierer@cllr.norwich.gov.uk

Notes:

The Green Party Group on Norwich City Council forms the council’s main opposition and consists of eight councillors.