£80m Build-to-Rent Scheme Approved in Central Norwich

A major build-to-rent development has secured planning approval in central Norwich, paving the way for an £80m regeneration scheme delivering more than 400 new rental homes.

Property investor Zive Capital has received approval for the Victoria Gardens development on the former Queens Road Marsh office site, a brownfield location previously cleared following demolition works in 2024.

The scheme will deliver 432 rental homes across a series of residential buildings alongside townhouses, with the wider development designed to create a new mixed-use neighbourhood within the city.

Designed by Broadway Malyan, the proposals include five main residential blocks stepping down towards lower-rise housing at the southern end of the site.

In addition to residential accommodation, the development will incorporate around 500 sq m of flexible commercial, retail and incubator space aimed at supporting local businesses and Norwich’s growing creative and digital sectors.

Plans also include:

• New landscaped public spaces

• Communal gardens and courtyards

• Improved pedestrian routes

• Enhanced connectivity to surrounding streets

  
  

The approved development includes a 10% affordable housing provision, with the potential for additional affordable units depending on project performance.

Adam Zive, principal at Zive Capital, described the approval as a significant milestone for the scheme and outlined the company’s ambition to deliver a long-term residential community within Norwich.

The project adds to continued growth within the UK build-to-rent sector, particularly across regional cities where investor demand for large-scale residential and mixed-use regeneration schemes remains strong.

Construction is expected to begin within the next 18 months.