Norwich Homebase Expected to Downsize

Planning permission has been granted for a change in use for Norwich's Homebase store.

Schroders Real Estate Fund applied for permission to sell a diverse range of goods, including food and drink, clothing, household goods and home furnishings, among others, from the Homebase site on Hall Road in Norwich.

The approval means that the existing Homebase 7,440 sqm unit can be divided into four smaller units, with Home Bargains and Iceland understood to be keen to move in.  The Homebase store would reduce in size to 2,789 sqm with a 697 sqm garden centre.

The Iceland store would be approximately 1,200 sqm and Home Bargains approximately 1,864 sqm.

Schroders submitted an application stating that Homebase no longer needed the amount of space it occupies on the site.  The company conducted a sequential test, looking at other potential locations for the new stores, but advised nothing suitable had been identified. In granting permission, the council stated: "The proposed development would not have a significantly harmful impact on existing centres."

Source : Insight DIY Team

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