Uncertainty after firm pulls out of city revamp plan

Anglia Square shopping centre was built in the 1960s

On Tuesday the developer Weston Homes said it was pulling out of plans to build 1,100 new homes in Norwich. What does the firm's decision on the Anglia Square project mean to those living in the area?

Weston Homes had spent eight years and £7.5m working on the Anglia Square scheme.

It initially hoped to redevelop the 11.5 acre site which has been home to a shopping centre since the 1970s.

Announcing it was pulling out of the project to regenerate the area, the firm cited seven key reasons behind its decision.

The news was described as a "terrible blow for the city" by Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council. But what do residents think?

'It's really worrying'

Shaun Bush-Trivett says he is worried about the news

"It's really worrying because the shops have already started closing" says Shaun Bush-Trivett. "The YMCA has moved and the Priscilla Bacon shop is leaving.

"The building leaks are really bad. If you look at the cinema, it's basically a swimming pool.

"The shops will be left vacant because they can't be repaired," the 24-year-old says. "So is it just going to look a dead and empty high street?"

'It's disappointing'

Louise Carver says she is shocked

"I'm quite shocked because it seemed like this this time it was going to go through," says 52-year-old Louise Carver.

"I just can't work out why they've stopped it all of a sudden.

"I don't live far from Anglia Square and I got a leaflet showing me all the plans, and it said it was definitely going ahead this time.

"I think it's now going to stay like this because all the main shops have gone because they thought it was happening. It's disappointing.

'I'm really pleased'

Rose Hunn says something needs to be done in the area

Rose Hunn, however, welcomes the firm pulling out.

"I'm really pleased because I like it the way it is," the 41-year-old says.

"I like the way it's got all the benches so people can sit around and there's loads of places where people can meet.

"If developers come in they'll make a big, horrible block of flats and there'll be loads more people here but nobody will be able to socialise or have a community.

"I agree something needs to be done but not what they were proposing."

'It's run down and useless'

Terry Bloomfield claims centre was "never fit for purpose"

"As it is now, it's run down and useless," says Terry Bloomfield, 75. "It was never fit for purpose.

"It's out of town and all you get is people sleeping rough, fights and drinkers, and it just scares people off here.

"Why have they [developers] pulled out? Because they can't get what they want?

"They want to put things in but they don't want to pay for the infrastructure, that's the problem."