City Hall clock tower could be opened to the public

35 minutes ago

Owen Sennittand

Paul Moseley,in Norwich

The building of Norwich City Hall started in 1936 and took two years

Martin Barber/BBC A drone image looking down on a four-storey building made of red brick, featuring white windows, a balcony with columns above the main entrance steps, and a clock tower on the right corner of the building. It is surrounded by the trees and buildings of a city's urban centre, including a cathedral on the horizon. — The building of Norwich City Hall started in 1936 and took two years

Plans for a revamp of City Hall in Norwich, which could see the landmark's clock tower opened to the public, have been submitted by the city council.

The Grade II* listed building has been a focal point of the city for nearly 90 years.

The upgrade will aim to cut the local authority's annual upkeep costs, which are about £2m because of ongoing repair work and inefficient heating systems.

Lucy Galvin, the Green Party council leader, said she could not put a figure on the cost of the project but said it would be a "substantial investment".

She added: "I could put a number on it today that will look silly in a couple of years' time as we've seen inflation rise all the time.

"I can't really tell you what these plans will cost because the plans aren't finalised yet."

Designs show how the clock tower could be opened up to the public

Norwich City Council Plans of a cross-section of Norwich City Hall showing how the building could be revamped. Captions describe new guardrails at the roof, a new lift, exhibition spaces and a "virtual experience" at the start of a tour of the tower. — Designs show how the clock tower could be opened up to the public

While the exact figure for the whole project is unknown, the council has already spent nearly £1m on the plans. It has allocated a further £1m to continue to develop the scheme.

It has also spent £625,000 on making its entrance more accessible, and work on that is already under way.

The project aims to refurbish several areas inside City Hall

Norwich City Council Plans of a cross-section of City Hall showing how the building could be revamped. — The project aims to refurbish several areas inside City Hall

What are the plans?

The project aims to upgrade several areas, including refurbishing the lobby, the entrance area and the council chambers.

It also intends to create a new light-filled atrium and a "civic living room".

Proposals to make the 1938 clock tower accessible to the public could attract visitors, and a lift could be installed so people can enjoy panoramic views from the top.

"It is a wonderful view from up there," Galvin said.

Exhibition spaces and a "virtual experience" have also been mooted as potential additions inside the tower.

An artist's impression of what the new lobby area might look like

Norwich City Council An artist's impression of what the new lobby area could look like, with people milling about among the columns, and planters on display. — An artist's impression of what the new lobby area might look like

The city council has lodged the plans but it could be a different authority that sees the project through to fruition.

The council is expected to be abolished in favour of one, two or three unitary authorities covering Norfolk.

Galvin said securing planning permission would ensure the project would be ready to be started, regardless of who takes control of the building.

"We want to get it ready so that we have some options on the table, so that the fabric of a special building at the heart of Norwich, which belongs to everyone, is protected and has a really healthy future," she said.