Norwich Union bring 500 jobs to site

The company has applied to City of York Council for temporary planning permission to build two rows of double-decker portable buildings - plus parking for 120 vehicles - on land to the north of the shopping park.

Its says the 40,000 sq ft of temporary offices are needed pending the construction of permanent accommodation on a neighbouring site.

A report to next Thursday's planning committee meeting says the development is needed for the transfer of Norwich Union Life Services to the city, which will involve the creation of at least 500 new jobs. It is understood this will take the total number of Norwich Union employees in York to more than 2,500.

Roy Templeman, director of environment and development services, is urging councillors to approve the application, saying it should be welcomed because of the new jobs.

He says the site is identified for employment use in the draft local plan, and the temporary development would not/ have a significant impact on overall traffic levels in the area.

But because of concerns about traffic levels on North Lane and its junction with the A64, he says the applicant should be asked to contribute £11,000 to fund investigations into measures needed to tackle the problems.

Another £14,000 should be contributed to fund an investigation into improving the pedestrian and cyclist network in and around the area.

News of the application comes two months after the Evening Press revealed that Norwich Union was taking on 250 new jobs in the city as it shifted some of its business from Croydon to York and expanded its life and pension products service.

The company said then that it was working on the exact location of the new offices needed to accommodate the extra staff.

A Norwich Union spokeswoman said today some of the 500 new jobs would be filled by people transferring from Croydon while others have already been filled by people in the York area.

Updated: 13:48 Friday, October 19, 2001