The £271m Anglia Square redevelopment was put forth at the court as the developers turned in bidding issues with the refusal of State secretary Robert Jenrick. Weston Homes and Columbia Threadneedle have now applied to the High Court asking for a statutory review.
The file was placed under section 288 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 with the aim of getting Robert Jenrick’s refusal of the scheme overturned in the Royal Courts of Justice. The full hearing will come in place once the permission to proceed is granted by the court.
The possibility of full hearing is likely to take place in the spring or summer of 2021. Developers Columbia Threadneedle and Weston Homes argued that the secretary of state acted unlawfully in blocking their plans.
Both parties also claimed t6hat the decision taken largely is on heritage grounds.In 2018 Norwich City Council planning committee voted in favour of the proposed scheme and resolved to grant planning permission.
The secretary of state has called on the proposals then. A public inquiry was held, resulting in the planning inspector recommending that. Planning permission should be granted as the actual demand.
Among those opposing Weston’s Anglia Square scheme was Historic England, which said that it would “radically disrupt the character of the cityscape”. Robert Jenrick sided with the opponents and decided to refuse permission.
It was also said that demolishing the 1960s-built Anglia Square shopping centre and replacing it with a 20-storey block of flats, a hotel, cinema and new shops “did not protect and enhance the heritage assets of the city”.
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