New bid launched for housing above Westlegate shops

Plans lodged with Norwich City Council would see the row of offices in Westlegate transformed into 44 new apartments.

To provide access to the residential complex, a vacant unit next to Adnams and another in St Stephens Street would be turned into lobbies. 

The apartments would be built across office space on the first, second and third floors of the row of shops in Westlegate, as well as a new upper floor comprising of four penthouses.

The vacant unit on Westlegate (Image: William Warnes)

The Boar's Head and the Westlegate buildings were bought by developer Estateducation in 2021 as part of a joint venture with its spin-off crowdfunding property development platform, JaeVee.

READ MORE: 'Stunning' office space in former print hall on the market

There have been several bids to develop the site over the years, with planning permission granted for the conversion of the office space into residential homes in 2020 - which has since expired.

However, a more recent application to create access to the development was refused.

Norwich City Council raised concerns that turning the vacant units in Westlegate, next to Adnams, and St Stephens Street, next to Snappy Snaps, into lobbies would result in a loss of retail space. 

It will decide whether to approve the new application in due course.