Debenhams plans scaled back following objections

Developers have scaled back plans to demolish a former Debenhams and convert it into student flats.

The department store in Norwich has been empty since 2021, when the well-known retail chain collapsed.

It was later sold, and earlier this year planning firm Lanpro revealed proposals to knock down most of it and create student accommodation with 407 rooms and shops on the ground floor.

The firm said that following feedback from Norfolk police, the city council and Historic England, it would reduce the suggested height of the building.

In an amended planning application, it said its proposed development would now be eight storeys, rather than 10 – and would have 377 rooms.

It came after an objection from Historic England that warned the original plans "would cause harm to the character of the Norwich City Centre Conservation Area and to the setting of several listed buildings, including Norwich Castle".

The conservation body also warned the development would "block a key long view of Norwich Cathedral's spire" and called for its height to be reduced.

Lanpro, which is acting on behalf of the building owners - Orford House Developments Limited (OHDL) – said cutting the height and number of rooms pushed "the scheme to the margins of viability".

But it said that ODHL was "committed to make this change given the positive impact on the heritage assets in close proximity".

Norwich City Council is due to decide on the plan at a later date.

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