Work starts to turn derelict site into much-needed social housing

This is the culmination of several years’ work on the plot, which had been standing empty for more than a decade, becoming a target for fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

The site was bought by the council from its previous owner through a compulsory purchase order last year, after it remained undeveloped.

Planning permission was then given to build five homes on the site, designed to a ‘fabric first’ approach to reduce energy use. Their high environmental standards will ensure that energy bills are minimised for future residents.

Councillor Gail Harris, Norwich City Council’s cabinet member for social housing, said:

“This project not only meets the council’s priorities of building and maintaining good-quality social housing to meet demand, but it also gives us the opportunity to repurpose and adapt a problem site into something positive for Norwich residents.

“This is a great development for the city and adds to the city council’s growing housing stock. It also sends a strong message to private owners who fail to develop their assets, that the City Council will not stand by and allow land that could be put to good social use sit idle and be wasted. We will always seize every opportunity to build desperately-needed top quality homes for Norwich people in our city”.

Norwich City Council has also acquired the house next door to the pub, which was a former council home, sold under the right to buy scheme. This will be kept by the council as part of its housing stock, with a section of the garden being used to improve access to the Kings Arms development.

Broadland Housing Association is project managing the work, which is expected to be completed next autumn.

Andrew Savage, executive development director at Broadland Housing Association, said: “We are delighted to be project managing this new site for Norwich City Council to develop these much-needed new homes for the people of Norwich.”