Homes England, the Government’s redevelopment agency, has announced its acquisition of Carrow Works in East Norwich. The 17-hectare Carrow Works is the largest brownfield site in the East of England.
The announcement represents the second major investment in the East Anglian city by Homes England, following a £34 million grant to Norwich City Council to buy Anglian Square in January 2025.
Alison Crofton, chief regional delivery officer at Homes England, said: “The acquisition of Carrow Works marks a significant step forward in the regeneration of East Norwich and toward the delivery of a new vibrant community.
“This is a prime example of how Homes England is working collaboratively with Norwich City Council to turn this complex brownfield site into a thriving neighbourhood that will provide much-needed homes.”
For more than 160 years, Carrow Works was formerly used by Colman’s. However, the site has been vacant since 2020 when parent company Unilever ceased production. Prior to this in 2017, Britvic announced the cessation of Robinsons drinks production at the site.
Carrow Works features in the East Norwich Strategic Regeneration Area with capacity for 3,500 homes. Although, in 2024 an application to build 1,859 homes on the site was rejected by local councillors due to insufficient affordable housing provision.
Councillor Carli Harper, cabinet member for finance and major projects, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic news and is the second time Homes England have shown faith in Norwich. It demonstrates why Norwich is one of the hottest places to invest in the UK.
“The acquisition is a massive game changer in our mission to regenerate East Norwich to be a beacon of waterside living.
“We are going work at pace with Homes England to help deliver top-quality homes, many of which will be affordable, jobs for local people and build a new vibrant, waterside community which would be one of the most liveable neighbourhoods in England if not Europe.”
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