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Major hotel plan decision could be made next month

Paul MoseleyNorfolk political reporter
Sheppard Robson Architects A pedestrian-friendly urban courtyard framed by mid-rise brick buildings, with trees in autumn foliage. People walk, cycle, and sit at outdoor cafe tables under white umbrellas labelled “Soul Kitchen.” In the background Norwich railway station is visible.Sheppard Robson Architects
The new hotel and student accommodation blocks would also include a plaza for shops and cafes

Plans to demolish and rebuild a well-known hotel could be approved next month.

Premier Inn's Norwich Nelson City Centre hotel is owned by Whitbread which wants to increase the size of the building and add student flats to the site.

The firm, which describes its plans as a "gateway development", said it was hopeful its proposals would be discussed by the city council in the next few weeks.

Heritage groups have raised concerns about the designs, which would see the building increase in height from four storeys to seven.

Sheppard Robson Architects A modern riverside development featuring mid-rise brick buildings with large windows and clean lines. A waterfront promenade hosts outdoor seating beneath awnings, with people dining and walking along the path. Small boats and rowers move on the calm water, while greenery and trees frame the scene under a bright, partly cloudy sky.Sheppard Robson Architects
There are concerns the height of the new buildings would be too imposing for the area

Sitting opposite Norwich railway station, the hotel is one of the first sights to greet arriving travellers.

But Whitbread has said it is in "an end-of-life state" and requires a "significant upgrade".

The replacement hotel would see the number of rooms increased from 185 to 248, while two buildings with 491 student-accommodation rooms would be added.

The firm also wants a plaza with space for shops or cafes and has said improving the riverside area will be "an important benefit for the city".

However, heritage groups including The Norwich Society have warned the height of the new building would be "too imposing".

Anglian Water and Norfolk County Council raised concerns about potential new risks for flooding and water pollution, but said they had dropped them after receiving further information from Whitbread.

David Freezer/BBC A dated riverside building with a red-brick façade and a “Premier Inn” sign above rows of windows. At ground level, a pub restaurant stretches along the water with outdoor seating and globe lights. A walkway runs beside the river where a few people stand, while the calm water reflects the structure under a clear sky.David Freezer/BBC
The Nelson hotel, pub and restaurant was built in the early 1970s

"We've been working on plans for the Norwich Nelson site for more than seven years," said Richard Pearson, Whitbread's senior development manager.

"This will be the gateway development the city deserves and we're looking forward to the planning decision."

The firm hopes its plans will be discussed when the city council's planning committee meets on 9 July.

A council spokeswoman said the authority was "working closely with the applicant" and aimed to decide on the plans "by the end of the summer."

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