Criticism of Broadland and South Norfolk Councils over empty spaces at £7m Horizon Centre HQ

Two Norfolk councils have come under fire for their investment in a £7 million office which is sitting largely empty.

The Broadland and South Norfolk HQ at the Horizon Centre in Broadland Business Park opened more than a year ago following a highly controversial deal.

Councillors at both authorities raised concerns about the need for the move at the time and questioned whether the huge space was suitable, with some even quitting their political parties in protest.

Now swathes of office space is still sitting empty and has sparked fresh criticism surrounding the investment.

Broadland and South Norfolk councils moved to the Horizon Centre, formerly home to Aviva, last summer after signing a £7.1 million deal.

The site was expected to be larger than the needs of the councils, and sections – including the second floor and an annexe – were planned to be rented out to generate extra income.

But more than a year after the move, much of one floor remains empty and the council is still struggling to find tenants.

A council spokesman said: “Currently, there are two tenants occupying part of the first floor, and we are actively negotiating with several other interested parties to fill the remaining space.

“To better support future tenants, we are also reviewing the layout and exploring designs to create more formal and flexible office spaces that meet modern business needs.

“We are committed to ensuring the space is used effectively and contributes to the vibrancy of our office building.”

The councils also claim to have reduced running costs at their new HQ due to solar panels.

The purchase of the Horizon Centre has long been controversial and three members of the leading Conservative group at South Norfolk Council decided to stand down from their party in opposition to the plans at the time.

One of these, Clayton Hudson, said the huge, empty rooms reaffirmed the stance taken by he and his colleagues.

He said: “It is a total waste of space. I was always concerned about the offices being purchased but they went and bought a building that was too big for them anyway.

“The council isn’t going to get any bigger and they will be stuck with these empty rooms for a long time. They tried to build an empire and it hasn’t worked.”

Meanwhile, both South Norfolk and Broadland have failed to get rid of their old offices, which were hoped to be sold off long ago.

South Norfolk Council agreed a year ago to sell its former office – South Norfolk House in Long Stratton – to the authority’s own housing development company, Big Sky.

But the sale has still not been completed after campaigners, who want the building to remain in community use, applied to get it listed.

Ben Goldsborough, MP for South Norfolk, recently raised the issue in Parliament and has secured a meeting with ministers to discuss the building’s future.

Broadland Council is also still attempting to sell off Thorpe Lodge – a vast site that includes a Grade II listed stately home and nuclear bunker – but councillors have recently admitted the property may not sell for as much as they hoped.

Previously, the lack of a sale has been blamed on a stagnated property market caused by a rise in interest rates. Options considered for the site over the years include a housing scheme, retirement complex, community hall or commercial use.

The council has declined to comment on how many offers of interest they’ve received for the site thus far – citing “commercial sensitivity”.

Meanwhile, this incomplete sale is putting financial pressure on the council, which still has to pay holding fees funded through reserves – estimated to be in the region of £70,000.