Norwich City Council has appointed consultants Urban Initiatives to draw up a master plan for the transformation of one of Norwich's most famous shopping streets.

St Stephens Street and the surrounding area suffer from traffic congestion, neglected buildings, under-used areas of land and fragmented routes for pedestrians.

The final report is expected to be produced and adopted as council policy by the end of 2010. Over the next two decades, it will shape the area's growth and development.


This district of Norwich will play an important role in providing more space for shops, offices, homes and public transport to cater for the growth of Norwich's population and economy.

The main aim of the masterplan is to create an excellent new development based on a more effective transport system. Changes to street functions in the area reflect proposals developed for the Norwich Area Transportation Strategy, which is currently being tested by the highways authority.

Funding has been provided by a mixture of public and private sector organisations including Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council, the Greater Norwich Development Partnership, Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART), Capital Shopping Centres, Marks & Spencer and Aviva Investors.

(CD/GK)