SHAUN LOWTHORPE Plans to regenerate a key area of east Norwich are to be taken forward through the creation of a new masterplan. The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and Norwich City Council have commissioned the work for the Deal Ground and Utilities sites in the city.

SHAUN LOWTHORPE

Plans to regenerate a key area of east Norwich are to be taken forward through the creation of a new masterplan.

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and Norwich City Council have commissioned the work for the Deal Ground and Utilities sites in the city.

It will be compiled through consultations with partners and the public and used to guide the redevelopment and future use of land in east of the city to deliver planned growth and stimulate regeneration.

The brownfield sites lie alongside the River Wensum, downstream of the city centre close to Trowse and offer a strategically important opportunity for regeneration.

Richard Ellis, chair of the East of England Development Agency, said: “EEDA is supporting this work as it will enable the renaissance and regeneration of east Norwich. The masterplan will help to gauge the opinions and needs of local partners and the local community. Once it has been compiled it will be used to attract private and public sector investment to unlock these key brownfield sites for a range of uses such as housing, employment and leisure.”

Brian Morrey, the city council's portfolio holder for development and sustainability said: “These large sites have been under-used for many years. We are entering a very exciting time and I look forward to a masterplan that will give these sites a framework for a sustainable future.”

Buro Happold, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Fluid have been appointed to consult on and prepare the masterplan, which will have an important role in contributing towards a business case for private sector investment and

for public sector funding programme support.

As part of the public consultation, a series of awareness raising events are due to be held in Norwich next month to canvass opinion on potential uses for the area. The first consultation event, incorporating a drop in exhibition (12-5pm) and a public workshop (6pm-8pm), will be held on Wednesday, July 26, at the Manor Rooms, The Street, Trowse, Norwich, NR14 8ST. A second event will be held on Thursday, July 27, from noon until 6pm, at the Forum in Norwich city centre.

Further information is available on the website at http://www.fluidoffice.com/dg&u/