New look at Angel Yard co-housing scheme in Norwich

Proposals for the Danish-style co-housing scheme in Norwich were approved by the city council in March after nearly a decade in the pipeline.

The group behind the scheme have revealed a new look at the planned development on a site on the corner of Sussex Street and Oak Street, which they purchased nine years ago. 

They aim to create the city's first community of its kind, named Angel Yard, with private properties connected through communal areas and a spirit of sharing.

However, the project struggled to get off the ground until recently. 

Lucy Hall, one of the future residents, said: "It's great to see our plans take shape and have an exterior image to show how it will look. We can't wait to get started.

"We are not literally building the homes with our own hands, but we'll be taking a keen interest in progress and keeping in contact with neighbours to minimise disruption."

The interior of the Angel Yard development (Image: Angel Yard/TOWN)

READ MORE: Row between council and charity after claims only NINE social homes built last year

The development will see the construction of two four-storey blocks of flats, along with six terraced houses, totalling 34 new dwellings. Residents will share amenity spaces and a communal garden.

Angel Yard co-housing group outside City Hall in Norwich (Image: Eleanor Storey)

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

However, councillors were largely supportive of the unusual proposals - describing the development as "something new" for the city - and gave it the green light at a meeting in March. 

Angel Yard will be the first purpose-built cohousing scheme in Norfolk - with work expected to get under way in early 2025.