Browne Jacobson advises Norwich City Council on Anglia Square regeneration scheme

Browne Jacobson has supported Norwich City Council in a deal that will enable it to regenerate a former shopping centre into a major housing development.

The UK and Ireland law firm acted for the local authority in its acquisition of Anglia Square Shopping Centre, in Norwich, from Columbia Threadneedle Investments on a full range of property matters, as well as tax, litigation and planning.

The site comprises several shops, car parks and dilapidated buildings, one of which previously housed a cinema that premiered the Alan Partridge 2013 film Alpha Papa.

Norwich City Council plans to demolish and redevelop the site. Its regeneration proposals include 1,100 new homes alongside a variety of retail, office and leisure spaces.

The placemaking exercise also features landscaped gardens, a neighbourhood centre, public realm and cycling links.

Following the transaction, the council will continue to instruct Browne Jacobson for the ongoing retail management.

Jonathan Borer, Partner in the real estate team, worked on the project alongside Sophie Meehan-Green, Senior Associate, and Louise Hunt, Associate.

Jonathan said: “We’re proud to have played a role in this flagship regeneration project for Norwich, which has enormous potential to breathe new life into a neglected part of the city.

“Delivering new housing is one of society’s biggest issues and the government’s preferred route will always be to redevelop brownfield sites such as this. However, such schemes also involve lots of complex issues that require expertise on a broad range of legal matters.

“After completing this transaction, we’re excited to continue our involvement in the transformation of Anglia Square into a thriving, modern environment for living, working and leisure.”

Councillor Mike Stonard, Leader of Norwich City Council, said: “The council has grasped this golden opportunity on behalf of the people of Norwich to bring a bright new future to Anglia Square and ensure it’s developed as quickly as possible to benefit the people of Norwich.

“We are now in the driving seat to create a new Anglia Square with affordable homes, diverse retail and leisure outlets, a new neighbourhood centre, and well-paid jobs for local people.”

This is the latest regeneration project in which Browne Jacobson has advised a local authority.

The firm is working Enfield Council on Meridian Water, a 20-year scheme that will deliver 10,000 homes and create 6,000 jobs in North-East London, while in November it supported Oxford City Council on the completion of a complex asset transfer deal to turn 352 properties on the Barton Park development into affordable housing.