A derelict building in the city centre is set for a new lease of life after plans were approved for its revamp to begin.

Formerly home to the British Heart Foundation charity shop, located next to Age UK in London Street, it relocated just down the road to the previous Barclays bank unit five years ago and has sat dormant ever since.

Norwich Evening News: The building is located next to the Age UK charity shopThe building is located next to the Age UK charity shop (Image: Newsquest)

However the building, which went up for auction in April last year, could have new tenants after the plans for repairs and alterations were approved.

The proposal, submitted to Norwich City Council in August, is to change the use of the former flat above the shop back to residential use, with new access direct from the street, as well as repairing and altering the existing shop front.

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Part of the renovations will include replacing the existing red painted timber shop front with a "new timber painted" look.

Norwich Evening News: The proposal to change the building's use to residential was approved by Norwich City Council on March 6 this yearThe proposal to change the building's use to residential was approved by Norwich City Council on March 6 this year (Image: Auction House)

City council urban conservation and design officers had raised concerns about the plans though, due to the building being in the Elm Hill and Maddermarket Character Area of the City Centre Conservation Area.

These stated that "a level of harm to the overall significance of the Locally Listed Building" was posed but deemed this would be "less than substantial" and contribute to "its long-term conservation".

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The plans were approved on March 6, with the city council saying: "Returning the flat above the shop back into residential use is a welcomed change of use.

Norwich Evening News: The venue was up for Auction in April 2023The venue was up for Auction in April 2023 (Image: Auction House)

"The building has been vacant for many years and the proposal will allow it to be brought back into a viable and sustainable use."

The shop, on the ground floor, has a total floor area of 112sqm with two floors of current office space above.

Norwich Evening News: The former British Heart Foundation building, in London StreetThe former British Heart Foundation building, in London Street (Image: Newsquest)