The proposed multi-million pound revamp of Norwich's Anglia Square has failed to find favour with groups which represent cyclists and people living near the development.

Eastern Daily Press: Stuart McLaren, secretary of St Augustine's Community Together Residents' Association. Pic: Steve Adams.Stuart McLaren, secretary of St Augustine's Community Together Residents' Association. Pic: Steve Adams.

Last week saw the close of the consultation over the planning application which had been lodged for the shopping complex.

The St Augustine's Community Together Residents' Association and Norwich Cycling Campaign were among the last organisations to submit objections.

Housebuilder Weston Homes, along with landowner Columbia Threadneedle, has lodged plans with Norwich City Council for the ambitious revamp.

It would include up to 1,250 new homes, a 25-storey tower, dozens of shops, a 200-bed hotel, 600-space car park and pedestrianised areas.

The project would see a minimum of 120 affordable homes, plus a £2.5m new base for Surrey Chapel, which would be demolished.

Norwich City Council's planning committee will, ultimately, make the decision on whether to grant approval.

But the proposals have been criticised, with the scale of the project - particularly the tower, opposed by members of the public and organisations such as Historic England and the Council for British Archaeology.

Of the 353 comments lodged with Norwich City Council over the application, 298 have objected to the project. Among them was Stuart McLaren, on behalf of the St Augustine's Community Together Residents' Association.

He said: 'The current plans are unneighbourly and antipathic to our community's well-being and sense of place.'

The group has objected to the height, density and design of the buildings, along with the impact on infrastructure and the risk of losing the types of shops which are currently in and around Anglia Square.

Norwich Cycling Campaign also lodged an objection, saying the proposal would be a 'massive overdevelopment' of the site.

Margaret Todd, from the campaign, said: 'The proposals are inadequate for the growing level of cycling in Norwich and will create unnecessary conflict between walking and cycling.'

The developers said the proposals were the result of two years of extensive discussion with the council and regeneration would transform the area and enhance the local community.