Insurance giant
Aviva has raised concerns with the council of its home city Norwich over fears about the working conditions for its 2,000 city centre staff.
According to a report by the
Eastern Daily Press, bosses at the insurer are concerned about plans to build a 13-storey tower block next to their offices which it believes could take away its sunlight. The report states that the firm is urging Norwich City Council to reject proposals for the 244-bedroom student accommodation at a former Mecca Bingo site.
Consultants and surveyors have reportedly been called on to make objections to city hall with regards to a scheme that has been described as “overbearing”. A representation submitted to the council by Porta Planning, Aviva’s planning consultants, states that the building “will have a negative impact on the working conditions for employees.”
Meetings have been held with developers over the issue and Aviva has reportedly requested that the scheme’s height be no taller than its own building.
However, property consultants GL Hearn has written to the city council and spoken out against the objections.
Speaking to the
Eastern Daily Press, Lucy Taggart, from GL Hearn, commented that the alterations “would not adversely affect the working conditions as such to inhibit the occupants from undertaking their work in the usual manner.”
She has reportedly even submitted a photograph of the Aviva building from earlier in the month showing many pull down blinds on the office wings that had been partly or nearly completely lowered which she states indicates that “reduced daylight and sunlight may be preferred.”
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