What is this petition for?

This is a petition to save South Norfolk House, a valuable building in Long Stratton, from being demolished and turned into housing by SNDC (South Norfolk District Council).

South Norfolk House was originally the South Norfolk District Council offices, until they moved to the Horizon Centre in Broadland in early 2023.
The sale of South Norfolk House began in July of 2022, whilst they were still using the building. 

SNDC have sold South Norfolk House to Big Sky, a company owned by SNDC, as opposed to allowing a community bidder to purchase the site.
The community bid would have seen South Norfolk House turned into a valuable community asset for Long Stratton and surrounding areas, but SNDC plan to demolish the iconic building in Long Stratton.

The decision to sell South Norfolk House to Big Sky was made by one casting vote.
Long Stratton Town Council and County Councillor Alison Thomas were excluded from this meeting, therefore unable to make representations on behalf of their communities.

History of South Norfolk House

The design for the building was completed in 1975 by Michael Innes, a local Norwich architect, and construction began on 6th August 1976 – just under 49 years ago.
The main contractor was Simons Construction Group, and they were awarded the 1979 Premier Award presented by Norfolk Association of Architects for a complete new building. An important feature was the unusual and extensive use of special joinery fittings, the adjudicators stated that the craftsman responded with an excellent standard of workmanship.

From a birds-eye view the architect’s conception of three adjoining hexagons is clearly exposed. The large area of exposed roof of the new buildings is in marked contrast to the economical steeper pitch of a nearby group of vernacular farm buildings. There is a clustering village quality about the offices seen from the approaching lane. The original two hexagon designs are 3530 sq. m and were quite controversial at the time. The design was exceptional for its day with the architect applying several elements of environmental thinking from more current times with consideration for energy use and overheating with tracking of the suns solar path for winter heat gain alongside natural cross ventilation coupled with mechanical ventilation for the summer months. It was one of the most energy efficient buildings of its time.
 
On 3rd August 1979, South Norfolk House was a runner up in a competition for office of the year organised by ‘Office Design Division of the Institute of Administrative Management’. Judges looked at the way planners and architects cope with the building’s requirements, the quality of the working environment and the cost of the project.

A Royal Visit

In June 1980, Princess Alexandria visited South Norfolk House where she was greeted by many people, including 450 children with their parents, where she officially unveiled the plaque for the building. She also met officers who told her about the building.

The Current Situation

We had put forward an application to get South Norfolk House designated as an Asset of Community Value, but unfortunately after eight weeks of an independent assessment this was not successful.
We had also applied to get the building Grade II listed to prevent its demolition, which was also unsuccessful.

Now, SNDC have put up a Site Notice of Application for Prior Approval for Demolition of a Building. This notice is attached to this petition and shows that SNDC are applying for permission from themselves. 

We Need You

We need you to sign this petition so we can prove the community is against the demolition of South Norfolk House.

Please share this around and spread the word so we can get as many signatures as possible.

Site Notice of Application for Prior Approval for Demolition of a Building