We don't want a huge 'eyesore' building in our town – it's ruining our area… we need it changed immediately | The Sun
RESIDENTS of a UK city are crying out for an "eyesore" building in their area to be replaced.
Locals in Norwich, Norfolk, say they are tired of the former Debenhams department store ruining the city centre.
Developers Stanford Real Estate have revealed proposals to knock down most of the existing building, to be replaced by a new development with shops on the first and second floors and 400 student flats above.
There are still some concerns over the nature of the plans, but the local community are heavily in favour of getting rid of the former shopping hub, which close three years ago.
One local, Steve Barker, to the Eastern Daily Press: "I've got no objection.
"Debenhams has been closed for a number of years and it's nice to see plans to bring the site back into use."
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However, there have been some issues raised about the effect of the development on the local housing market.
Former architect Richard Pennington said: "Something has to be done because it's an eyesore.
"But even though there might be a need for student accommodation, we also need more affordable housing.
"The floor plan is extremely depressing because I don't know how you'll be able to fit furniture in.
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"But something has to happen because it can't stay this way."
Ben Burgess and Mark Doohan, who are both involved in the redevelopment plan, said that they were surprised by how few objections they received about the loss of the building.
While they acknowledged concerns about affordable housing, they pointed to a "positive reaction" to the designs of the new block.
A formal planning application is expected to be submitted later in the summer.
It comes after a group of residents shared their fury at being left with an "eyesore" after paying £15,000 more for their homes to overlook a key feature.
Meanwhile, not everyone is in favour of new developments. as locals of one seaside town said it would be ruined by newbuild houses.
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