Plans for housing development at historic site in Norwich

The proposals for a new development at 125-133 King Street, next to Dragon Hall, will be showcased later this week. 

In a letter to people living in the area, developers Norwich River outlined a project that would see the refurbishment of "the important and fragile listed buildings" and their conversion "to residential use to secure their future".

The building is located next to Dragon Hall (Image: William Warnes)

The letter, penned by Norwich River director Milton Nutt, said initial discussions with planning and conservation officers from Norwich City Council and Historic England had already been held.

"You may be aware that this land is allocated for development in the (council's) Local Plan," he said.

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"We are proposing to provide a mixture of new houses and apartments, to make an efficient use of what is currently an under-used car park and commercial buildings."

But before an official application is submitted, Mr Nutt said he is "keen to discuss our proposals with local residents and representatives of local businesses".

An exhibition showcasing drawings and further details of the proposed development will be held in The Foyle Gallery, Dragon Hall between 2pm and 7:30pm on Thursday, May 18. 

There, city folk will be given the chance to "speak to members of the project team, including the developer and architects" and "comment on and influence the proposed design before the application is submitted to the council".

Attendees will be able to fill in a form setting out their views and anyone wanting to share their thoughts with River Norwich can email or write to the company directly.

Filled with a combination of medieval and Georgian architecture, King Street is one of the city's most famous and historic thoroughfares.

Undated image of The Ship Inn in King Street

The Music House, which dates back to the 12th century, is believed to be the oldest surviving house in Norwich - while Dragon Hall, which was once a former merchants' hall, dates back to the 14th Century and has been restored to its medieval splendour as part of the National Centre for Writing.

King Street once played host to almost 60 public houses and a number of breweries - with the huge Watney Mann complex delivering across 480,000 square miles and satisfying the thirst of around 1.5million drinkers.

In 1985, the thoroughfare's last beer factory, the Old Brewery, shut and public houses up and down King Street started to follow suit.

Of the 58 pubs which were once on this street, only one - the Last Pub Standing - survives today.