Plans for apartment block to overlook Diss Mere

Plans have been submitted to build two four-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom apartment on land to the rear of St Nicholas Street, overlooking the Mere.

Under the scheme, an existing garage and two store buildings in a courtyard area to the rear of the Happy Palace Chinese restaurant would be demolished to be replaced a three floor modern contemporary building, finished in the majority in glass and metal, and tiered down the hillside.

The apartments and nine parking spaces would be at the top of the sloping grassland leading down to the Mere, next to the Mere wildlife garden and floating boardwalk.

It would be the second development overlooking the Mere with work on the town’s new Wetherspoon’s pub due to start in March, and which the company hopes will be open by September.

In the full planning application to South Norfolk Council, the developers state: “We propose to erect the residential accommodation on the steepest section of the site, nearest to the courtyard, thus using the main slope for a tiered style of accommodation keeping overall height above courtyard level to a minimum yet giving a level access to the residential accommodation from the courtyard and car park.”

The site is next to a number of listed buildings including 23 St Nicholas Street, known as Tudor House, a 15th-century timber-framed building with its famous for its carved Dragon Post depicting the Annunciation and the Nativity.

The developers say they have scaled back plans for the building to be four storeys after consultations with Diss Town Council.

The applicant is listed as Mr and Mrs A Warnes of Woodbridge with the agent as Keith Day Architects of Shelfanger, Diss.

“This was to ensure views from existing properties, several of which are listed, down to the Mere are retained and not interrupted,” they add.

The application states the design of the development would compliment the area, stating: “The contemporary elevations although a contrast to the existing traditional street fronting buildings, compliment the site and we feel will be a positive addition to the area, whilst retaining all the Mere side trees and habitants.

“We recognise this is an important site and wish to negotiate with South Norfolk Council to achieve the best possible development solution, respecting the importance to Diss Town Council’s revival of this part of the town.”