The release of the early concept designs comes ahead of a proposed programme of public consultation, set to begin next month, run by project backers Norwich City Council and Homes England.
The team, which includes landscape designer Periscope, was chosen in May to draw up a site-wide framework plan and prepare the full planning application for the first phase of the overhaul of the 17ha riverside Carrow Works site.
The project – expected to be submitted for planning by the end of this year – will deliver a major new ‘urban village’ on the edge of the historic city.
This first phase will deliver up to 300 homes including ‘a high proportion of affordable housing’. The wider regeneration site is expected to deliver up to 3,600 homes and 4,000 jobs.
In 2024, the council refused regeneration plans for the site, drawn up by JTP. That scheme included 1,800 homes together with commercial and flexible community uses, but was deemed not to ‘deliver many of the requirements of the site-specific policy that are necessary to ensure a highly sustainable mixed-use community is delivered at East Norwich’.
The current commission focuses on the accelerated first phase of the Carrow Works and associated sites, a brownfield regeneration area which is a short distance from both the train station and the riverfront.
Context plan: early proposals for the Carrow Sites, which include the former factory site and Carrow House (September 2026)
The site has a long industrial history and includes former Colman’s factory buildings, Carrow Abbey and other key heritage assets, which are expected to shape the character of the new urban extension.
The site, which was purchased by Homes England in March, sits within the 50ha East Norwich Strategic Regeneration Area, which aims to deliver new homes, employment spaces, public realm and improved access to the rivers Wensum and Yare.
Homes England head of planning and enabling Jayshree Patel said the team’s approach would ‘celebrate the area’s heritage while building new homes local people need’.
Norwich City Council leader Lucy Galving described the proposals as ‘one of the most exciting regeneration projects in the country and a historic new chapter in the city of stories’.
The in-person public engagement events run on Friday 2 October and Saturday 3 October. There will also be a webinar on Tuesday 6 October 2026 for those unable to attend.
According to the published contract notice, the job is worth an estimated £1 million in fees ‘with contract modifications’.
Former Colman’s Mustard factory in Norwich. Credit: Shutterstock
Source: Shutterstock
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