Plea to develop derelict car park amid Block Norwich doubt

The large vacant plot off Mountergate, near Rose Lane, was due to be turned into Block Norwich - an entertainment site made from shipping containers with a 300-seater auditorium, stage and food court - after Norwich City Council granted planning approval to Teampartner Three for the project a year ago.

Ellis Williams Architects (Image: Ellis Williams Architects)

But in July this year, Teampartner Three director Paul Gregg said the scheme has now reached a sticking point which could mean developers give up on the venue.

A city council spokeswoman said: "The site is part of a larger allocation in the local plan for mixed use redevelopment. Given the Block proposals do not appear to be progressing, we are continuing discussions with this adjacent land owner to find the best way forward for the site.”

The empty car park in Mountergate, Norwich (Image: Sophie Wyllie)

Colin Williams, 40, from Norwich, who works in nearby Baltic House, said: "It is an urban blight. It is another story of a plot of land left to rot. People need housing."

Scott King, 36, an operations manager who lives opposite the car park, said: "It is an eyesore."

He said children's entertainment for families would be a good development because there was a lack of play parks in the area.

Mark Killingback, who believes work should be done on improving the former car park in Mountergate in Norwich (Image: Sophie Wyllie)

Mark Killingback, 49, from Old Catton, who was parking nearby, said: "Something needs to be done."

A man who lives in nearby Parmentergate Court said: "It looks dismal and grotty."

He thought the car park could be turned into a skatepark or a place for parents dropping off and picking up children from Charles Darwin Primary School in Rose Lane.

Green Party city councillor Ash Haynes (Image: Sophie Wyllie)

Ash Haynes, Green Party city councillor for Thorpe Hamlet, said: "What people want is housing. The site attracts anti-social behaviour."

Sgt Chris Clay, from Norfolk Police (Image: Norfolk Police)

Sgt Chris Clay, from Norfolk Police, said: "We have not been made aware of any recent incidents but this is an area that has historically drawn anti-social behaviour and drug use.

"We have increased patrols and carried out stop-searches of suspicious individuals."

Anthony Breach, senior analyst for Centre for Cities, said it was important the area was developed for economic and social benefits.

Anthony Breach, senior analyst for Centre for Cities (Image: Centre for Cities)