Housing site to be used as temporary car park

The former Marsh office block in Norwich was demolished in August 2024

The site where a 1970s office block was demolished last year is due to be used as a public car park for more than 250 drivers.

Norwich City Council has granted permission for the former Marsh office block site, in Queens Road, to be used as a car park for 18 months.

Residential investment firm Zive Capital purchased the site with plans to redevelop it into 400 homes. The building was demolished in August 2024.

While the developer has not yet submitted plans for the houses, it hopes to use the car park area to generate revenue before the scheme can go ahead.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said residents had complained the car park had already been in operation for two months and was causing traffic problems.

At the planning committee meeting on Thursday, independent councillor Karen Davis spoke on behalf of residents who had objected.

She said: "There is no evidence of parking needed. Both park and ride services stop at the bus stop next to the site.

"This will dissuade drivers from choosing suitable options."

But Jason Tucker, who was representing planning consultancy firm Peacock and Smith, said the site was creating a "sense of neglect".

"We are proposing a structured, well-regulated use from 06:00 to 23:00 daily," he said.

The committee voted in favour of the car park plan. Councillors were told conditions surrounding lighting and minimum tariffs would need to be met, and that drivers would pay £8 for all-day parking.