Angel Yard co-housing scheme in Norwich wins planning approval

Angel Yard will be built on the corner of Sussex Street and Oak Street, Norwich

Norfolk's first co-housing scheme has been given the green light nearly 10 years after the project's conception.

The scheme, which has been likened to Danish-style living with private properties connected through communal areas, has been approved by the city council.

The site on the corner of Sussex Street and Oak Street was bought by a group of like-minded people in 2015.

Work on Angel Yard is finally due to get under way at the end of this year.

It will include the construction of two four-storey blocks of flats, along with six terrace houses, providing a total of 34 homes. People living in the development will share amenity spaces and a communal garden.

Concerns had been raised by local people who feared the new flats would dwarf the surrounding homes and harm the character of the streets.

However, members of the council's planning committee were largely supportive of the unusual proposals.

'Something new for the city'

Liberal Democrat councillor Judith Lubbock said: "I welcome this new way of building and living in Norwich. This site has been vacant for quite some time.

"This is a really good thing and it's something new for the city. which should be welcomed."

The Angel Yard group still requires more than £6m in funding for the development, and it hopes to secure a grant from Homes England.

Rowan Riley, 31, who plans to move into the community with his partner. Martha. and two children, said: "This decision from the council makes it all the more real. There has been a lot of uncertainty until now.

"It's nice to think that our kids will grow up this way. I would have loved to live somewhere like this as a child.

"I hope this news encourages more families to sign up."