Whitbread launches Nelson Hotel redevelopment bid in Norwich

The Hotel Nelson in Norwich, opposite the train station, is set to be demolished and rebuilt along with dozens of new homes and student accommodation. 

The project has been in the works for nearly two years but a formal planning application has only just been lodged with Norwich City Council.

New details about the project were unveiled at a City Hall briefing last month, showing the site could provide homes for around 600 people. 

The existing Hotel Nelson in Norwich (Image: Sonya Duncan) The site was occupied by the Great Eastern Hotel until it was demolished in 1963 and the Nelson was built in its place in 1971.

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The old Great Eastern Hotel (Image: Archant) The proposals include the complete demolition of the existing Nelson and its replacement by a new hotel with 243 rooms, as well as commercial space for restaurants and bars.

But the defining feature of the scheme is two large blocks of student flats, which will have a total of 491 rooms. 

There will also be a block of 75 residential apartments and a large plaza on the riverfront, designed to host markets, concerts and other events. 

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The proposed student accommodation (Image: Sheppard Robson) A spokesman for Whitbread said: "The Norwich Nelson Premier Inn is a very successful business with strong occupancy levels. It is also a site that is under-utilised and reflects poorly on our brand standards.

"There is potential to unlock and build on this existing success and invest for the future.

"We are able to develop out the larger site and create a scheme that would become a landmark location and benefit Norwich on numerous levels."

The planning application was received by City Hall at the start of the month and is expected to be considered by councillors early next year - with a view for work to begin as soon as a decision is reached.