Debenhams Redevelopment Plans Modified After Objections

Plans for the demolition of a former Debenhams store and its transformation into student residences have been reduced in scope by the developers. Located in Norwich, the department store has remained vacant since 2021, following the collapse of the prominent retail chain. After its sale, planning firm Lanpro presented proposals earlier this year to largely demolish the structure and establish student accommodation comprising 407 rooms, alongside ground-floor retail units. Lanpro stated that, subsequent to receiving input from Norfolk police, the city council, and Historic England, it would decrease the building’s proposed height. An updated planning application indicates that the revised development would now feature eight storeys instead of the original 10, and would contain 377 rooms. This adjustment follows an objection from Historic England, which cautioned that the initial 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 further advised that the development would “block a key long view of Norwich Cathedral’s spire” and advocated for a reduction in its height. Lanpro, representing the building owners, Orford House Developments Limited (OHDL), commented that reducing both the height and the room count has pushed “the scheme to the margins of viability”. Nevertheless, it conveyed that OHDL was “committed to make this change given the positive impact on the heritage assets in close proximity”. Norwich City Council is scheduled to make a decision regarding the plan at a subsequent time.