High-profile plans to demolish and rebuild a huge city centre building have hit another stumbling block. Developers hoping to redevelop the disused former Debenhams department store in Orford Place have faced criticism from a national organisation. Historic England has raised concerns with Norwich City Council about the proposals to demolish the 1950s building and build 405 student flats and several retail units.
Plans for the Red Lion Street facade of the proposed building (Image: Benchmark Architects via Norwich City Council) The group fear the height and scale of the student accommodation block plans "would cause harm to the character of the Norwich City Centre Conservation Area and to the setting of a number of listed buildings, including Norwich Castle". The letter continues: "It would block a key long view of Norwich Cathedral’s spire. We consider that the height should be reduced and design improved to reduce the level of harm that would be caused to designated heritage assets.
" The plans would see the current building developed to a height three storeys taller than it currently stands. Historic England is against both the plans to demolish the site and the proposed new build, saying it would be "overtly dominant". The Debenhams has stood empty since 2021 (Image: Sonya Duncan) Planning firm Lanpro, spearheading the Debenhams rebuild on behalf of Orford House Developments Limited, has published a series of alternatives to the plans to demolish the site.
The document o.
