Shopping centre to go up for sale for £8.5m

The site was purchased by Colombia Threadneedle in 2014

A shopping precinct that has been at the centre of long-running regeneration plans is to go on the market for more than £8.5m.

Anglia Square in Norwich is being offered for sale by Knight Frank consultancy.

Developers Weston Homes pulled out of a redevelopment scheme in February despite spending eight years on the plans, which would have included 1,100 homes and a retail and leisure space.

Charlie Hart, head of development land at Knight Frank, said: "We are very excited about the prospects for the property looking forward."

"We are pleased to be offering Anglia Square for sale on behalf of Colombia Threadneedle Investments. It has been a priority asset for Norwich for over two decades."

The sale comes after Norwich City Council leader Mike Stonard said it would be "advantageous" if the site was in public hands.

Weston Homes said a decision by the former housing minister Robert Jenrick to overturn local planning consent for the scheme was the main factor in pulling out of the redevelopment.

In 2018, a scheme that included a 20-storey tower block, hotel and cinema was rejected by Mr Jenrick, who branded it "excessive".

Columbia Threadneedle purchased the 11.4 acres shopping centre site for £7.5m in 2014.