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Premier Inn will be knocked down to 'make city look better'

Owen SennittNorwich
News imageDavid Freezer/BBC A dated riverside building with a red-brick façade and a “Premier Inn” sign above rows of windows. At ground level, a pub restaurant stretches along the water with outdoor seating and globe lights. A walkway runs beside the river where a few people stand, while the calm water reflects the structure under a clear sky.David Freezer/BBC
The Nelson hotel, pub and restaurant was built in the early 1970s

One of the most prominent hotels in a city centre will be knocked down and rebuilt as part of a project to transform a key gateway into the city.

Premier Inn's Norwich Nelson City Centre hotel is one of the first buildings people see when they exit Norwich Railway Station - but some people felt it gave a "negative" impression of the city, council officers said.

Richard Pearson, senior development manager for applicant Whitbread, said the scheme offers a "rare opportunity to transform people's first impressions" of Norwich. However, heritage groups complained the design is not in keeping with the historic city's architecture.

Councillors approved the scheme.

News imageSheppard Robson Architects A modern riverside development featuring mid-rise brick buildings with large windows and clean lines. A waterfront promenade hosts outdoor seating beneath awnings, with people dining and walking along the path. Small boats and rowers move on the calm water, while greenery and trees frame the scene under a bright, partly cloudy sky.Sheppard Robson Architects
There are concerns the height of the new buildings would be too imposing for the area

Whitbread applied to increase the size of the building and add student flats to the site.

The new buildings will be built in stages and will include a 248-bed hotel, nearly 500 student rooms and residential accommodation for 75 people.

Officers had recommended the scheme be approved, calling it a "huge improvement of the existing appearance" of the hotel.

Pearson said it could take five to six years to complete and that the firm would keep disruption to a minimum.

The scheme had proved controversial, as it would increase the size of the building from four storeys to seven. The Norwich Society warned the height of the new building would be "too imposing", and the Broads Authority fears it would harm the Broads landscape.

The University of East Anglia also objected, on the grounds the city already has too much student accommodation to meet demand - a claim council officers refuted, stating the need would increase in the future.

Anglian Water and Norfolk County Council dropped earlier concerns about flooding risks and water pollution before the meeting after receiving further information from Whitbread.

News imageSheppard Robson Architects A pedestrian-friendly urban courtyard framed by mid-rise brick buildings, with trees in autumn foliage. People walk, cycle, and sit at outdoor cafe tables under white umbrellas labelled “Soul Kitchen.” In the background Norwich railway station is visible.Sheppard Robson Architects
The new hotel and student accommodation blocks would also include a plaza for shops and cafes

When it came to the discussion, Green Party councillor Charlie Caine said he thought the site looked "pretty terrible" currently and supported the scheme.

Other councillors also noted that the site attracts antisocial behaviour and hoped the regeneration would improve this issue.

It was approved by seven votes in favour and one abstention.

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