As lockdown restrictions are gradually eased we are focusing on how we can innovate and adapt to get the city back on track and deliver our critical services, while also keeping people safe.

We will continue to keep you updated with news, service updates and support available to help navigate the challenges ahead. Thank you for continuing to follow social distancing guidelines as we enter this next stage.

For the latest overview of all changes and support please visit www.norwich.gov.uk/coronavirus

An overview of this week’s key updates:

Housing, generation and development

Norwich City Council cabinet members have given the go ahead to begin the master planning process for a regeneration scheme, which has the potential to be the biggest in the east, and provide thousands of homes and jobs.

The council’s longstanding ambition to breathe new life into the east of the city got the stamp of approval at a cabinet meeting this week, where the city’s blueprint for COVID-19 recovery was also approved.

The city council’s ambition to build 200 new council homes in Norwich also took a step closer after cabinet members approved plans to redevelop the former depot site at Mile Cross.

Next steps include progressing to the planning application stage along with further work to estimate the cost of designing and delivering the homes.

Using our parks and open spaces

A range of our outdoor facilities and equipment are now open for you to enjoy in our parks and open spaces.

From basketball to pitch and putt, please remember:

-to keep two metres from those not in your household
-to only meet up to five other people from outside your household

The developing coronavirus situation means that currently play areas must not be used.

You can find more details and guidance at www.norwich.gov.uk/parks

Help/information for businesses

Support is now available for small businesses and charities who may have missed out on previous government grants with the Discretionary Grants Fund. The government has provided local authorities with additional funding to target small businesses with high fixed property related costs, but were not eligible for either the small business grant or the retail, hospitality and leisure grant.

The scheme is discretionary to allow local authorities to use their local knowledge, within the government guidelines, to prioritise who can apply.

The deadline is Tue 30 June.

For more information, click here: https://www.norwich.gov.uk/info/20402/support_and_advice_for_businesses/3592/covid-19_discretionary_grant_fund