NHER 57971 (Building record) - County Hall, Norwich

County Hall
A 12-storey building constructed in 1966 and designed by R. H. Uren and A. B. Levy of Slater and Uren. It is constructed of reinforced concrete with brick, faience block, and tile cladding. The main building is one rectangular tower block with lower wings at the north and south ends. There is an early C21 addition to the south of the west wing of the main building, constructed for archival purposes.
A. Henderson (HES), 19 March 2025.

May 1968. Offical Opening of the Building.
The building was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 24th May 1968, during a visit to the city.
The entire building cost around £2.5 million to construct and was at the forefront of modern sixties design both inside and out. Uren’s distinctive design drew much attention at the time - the building’s size and appearance were the subject of much discussion. The keynote design was intended "to combine civic dignity with simplicity". Alongside the council chambers and new administrative departments, the Norfolk Police had technologically-advanced offices within the building, alongside a War Room and Forensics Department.
Information from film coverage (S1).
D. Gurney (HES), 21 February 2013.

July 2012. Building Survey.
County Hall is an 11-12 storey office tower designed by Reginald Uren in 1966. It is the headquarters of Norfolk County Council. It has a steel or reinforced concrete frame and is faced with glazed tiles and brick. It was put forward for designation as a Listed Building in August 2012.
See unpublished reports (S2) and (S3) for further details.
S. Heywood (HES), 11 October 2012.

February 2013. Photographic Survey.
In the lower basement (Rooms B38-47) there is an area which was designed as and still operates as a Local Authority Emergency Headquarters. Due to refurbishments there is little of obvious Cold War vintage, apart from the entrance doors and adjacent ventilation valves (one door of two in situ). There are also some probably 1960s heating and ventilation ducts, cabling etc, BBC and Raynet broadcasting stations (1980s, and the current equipment probably not original), and two small key control boxes marked "BOMB ALERT" (blue) and "ALL CLEAR" (green).
See digital photos (S4).
Copy of the County Main Emergency Centre Manual deposited in the NRO (S5).
D. Gurney (HES), 31 January 2013 and 21 February 2013. Amended D. Gurney (HES), 28 January 2015.

August 2012- 22 August 2013. Under Consideration for Listing.
English Heritage decide not to list (Case Number 473907), as the building does not meet the criteria for listing post-1945 buildings.
See Historic England Advice Report and Consultation Report for further details (S6-7) [1].
D. Gurney (HES), 28 January 2015. Amended A. Henderson (HES) 19 March 2025.