A new fly-through video offers Norwich residents a closer look at emerging plans for up to 300 homes in the first phase of redevelopment at the former Colman’s mustard factory site.

Norwich City Council announced the video on 2 October as Homes England and the council sought public views on Carrow Sites. The engagement covers both a framework for the wider site and the initial housing phase.

These are proposals being shaped through engagement, rather than a confirmed building programme. The council describes the illustrations as subject to change.

A first phase, not the whole east Norwich plan

Carrow Sites includes the former factory land and Carrow House. The council says the first phase would include a high proportion of affordable housing, although its announcements do not specify a percentage or the mix of tenures.

The proposed 300 homes should be distinguished from the much larger East Norwich regeneration ambition. The wider area is envisaged to provide roughly 3,500 homes, alongside employment space and improved access to rivers and green spaces. The council’s October announcement describes more than 3,500 homes; Homes England’s March statement used “up to 3,500”. Neither figure is a confirmed delivery total.

Homes England completed its acquisition of the 17-hectare Carrow Works site in March 2026. The former Colman’s mustard and Robinsons squash factory land is therefore one part of the broader regeneration area.

The agency said at the time that local engagement would help shape detailed proposals and the way the site’s heritage is integrated into a new neighbourhood.

Why the next details matter

Carrow has already seen a redevelopment proposal refused. Norwich City Council’s March 2024 decision on application 22/00879/F raised concerns including affordable housing, heritage harm and connections to surrounding areas.

That refusal concerned an earlier application by Fuel Properties Norwich Ltd. It should not be confused with a decision on the emerging Homes England proposals.

The history makes the eventual detail important: how many homes will be affordable, how historic buildings will be treated and how the neighbourhood will connect with the rest of Norwich. The current promise of a high affordable share is an intention, not yet a quantified commitment in the announcements.

Where to see the proposals

The council directs residents to the Carrow Sites engagement website to view the fly-through and share their views. Its announcement explains how to reach the project information.

The advertised dates for in-person events, 2 and 3 October, have passed. A webinar was scheduled for 6 October. The council said a recording would also be made available; its announcement does not confirm when that recording will appear.

For now, the video helps residents understand the direction of the first phase. The homes total, affordable provision and final design still need to move from emerging proposals into detailed plans.