The planned demolition of a prominent city centre building has been hit by mysterious delays.

Questions have been raised about the future of Victoria House, in Queens Road, as the developers behind the proposed demolition appear to have ceased communication with community leaders.

Councillors have called on Norwich Victoria to "urgently" speak with them about plans to bring down the former Marsh office block, off the St Stephens roundabout.

Norwich Evening News: Victoria House in Queens RoadVictoria House in Queens Road (Image: Denise Bradley)

Ian Stutely, who represents Town Close at City Hall, said councillors were "frustrated by a lack of response from the developer, who are yet to acknowledge or respond to our request to meet to discuss their plans".

He added: "We urge them to engage meaningfully with Town Close councillors and residents as a matter of urgency."

Demolition works were scheduled to begin by the end of September last year. However, a spokeswoman for demolition experts Goody Demolition said in October that a date had yet to be penned in.

Since then, multiple attempts have also been made by this newspaper to speak with Norwich Victoria - the sole director of which is listed on Companies House as Adam Zive of London-based Zive Capital - which have proved unsuccessful. 

Plans have previously courted controversy after Town Close county councillor Emma Corlett said the nature of the consultation had left those living nearby with "very little say".

Other objectors criticised the project's environmental impact, claiming the building was in a suitable condition to be reused.

Norwich Evening News: Town Close councillor Ian StutelyTown Close councillor Ian Stutely (Image: Labour Party)

Norwich City Council did not have the power to stop the demolition but was able to make changes to the way work takes place.

READ MORE: Through the years at city site which hosted the Beatles' favourite circus

The authority will have a full say on any new development at the site - which was part of Norwich Victoria rail station until it closed in 1926.

The former office block, where more than 1,000 people worked before the pandemic, has stood empty since the start of last year. Norwich Victoria was given five years to complete the demolition.

Should the demolition proceed, weekly assessments of the work's impact will take place to assess noise, dust and vibrations - while weather conditions will also be monitored to make sure dust is not blown to surrounding streets.