Forty-eight households will soon have affordable housing in Norwich after councillors unanimously backed plans for a historic shoe factory site.
Flagship Homes – part of Bromford Flagship – plans to build 35 one-bedroom and 13 two-bedroom flats across two blocks in Dibden Road. The homes will then be allocated to people on the local housing register at social rent rates, which are set at 60% of private rental rates.
Mark Williams, Flagship Homes’ Head of Pre Construction, said:
“Getting unanimous approval from Norwich City Council’s planning committee shows there’s real appetite for this kind of development. It’s on brownfield land, it’s 100% social rent, and it’s exactly what we need more of in Norwich.”
The city council has backed the project with funding generated through the ‘Right to Buy’ scheme, where council tenants buy their homes at a discount.
The Florida Group bought the site in the 1950s and manufactured Van Dal-branded shoes there before its closure in 2018.
A devastating fire destroyed the former factory in January 2025, and the area has since been cleared. The new designs echo the former building through architectural touches like triple gable elements and brick detailing.
An established hornbeam hedge along the northern boundary will be kept as both a natural screen and wildlife habitat. There will be a community space with trees and managed grassland between the two blocks.
The development will have 50 parking spaces, 23 electric vehicle charging points and 72 secure bicycle storage spaces. A bus stop is within easy walking distance on Silver Road and served by the 10A service, connecting residents to the city centre.
Mr Williams said:
“We wanted to honour the site’s industrial heritage. The Van Dal factory was part of Norwich’s identity for decades. The new design pays tribute to that history, while creating modern, energy-efficient homes where people can thrive.”
The approval comes with highway improvements including reconstructed footways, new pedestrian barriers at the end of Dibden Road, and refreshed road markings. Bromford Flagship will also contribute to enhancing the nearby Gertrude Road play area and greenspace, with an improved footpath giving easier access to this open space.
Lovell Partnerships has been appointed principal contractor on the project. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with homes suitable for households of between one and four people. Some properties will be designed to be accessible and adaptable for residents with disabilities.
They will be allocated to people on the local housing register and managed by Victory Homes, part of Bromford Flagship.