The government housing agency Homes England completed the purchase of the former Colman’s Mustard and Robinsons factory at Carrow Works on 24 March 2026, a move expected to lead to thousands of new homes in Norwich, Norfolk. This purchase of the 17-hectare site will serve as the centrepiece of the wider East Norwich Strategic Regeneration Area, which is earmarked to deliver over 3,500 houses and create around 4,000 jobs. According to Norwich City Council, the project will turn vacant industrial land into a vibrant new riverside community.
The development is part of a masterplan for the eastern side of the city which includes new employment space, public parks, and better access to the rivers Wensum and Yare. Plans for the site also include protecting historic buildings such as Carrow House and Carrow Abbey. The site had been home to mustard production for more than 160 years before the factory closed in 2020.
This purchase follows a previous attempt to develop the land by a private company which was turned down by councillors in March 2024 because it did not include enough affordable housing. This is the second major project in the city supported by the government agency after a £34 million grant helped the council buy Anglia Square in January 2025. That separate project is being delivered through a partnership with Aviva Capital Partners and is expected to welcome its first residents in 2028.
The council says the new community will include affordable homes and community facilities. Officials are now working with the government to create detailed plans for the site to ensure it becomes a sustainable neighbourhood for residents to live and work.
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