Norwich City make huge U-turn on Carrow Road redevelopment plans after recent fan backlash

Norwich City have officially paused their Carrow Road redevelopment project following strong criticism from supporters. 

The plans, which would have forced 3,000 season ticket holders to move seats, have been shelved after intense backlash from the fanbase.

Majority shareholder Mark Attanasio confirmed the U-turn during an interview with BBC Radio Norfolk, admitting that the club needed to “step back” and review the plans in light of supporter concerns and poor communication.

Fans had complained about being “uprooted in favour of corporate comfort”, saying the redevelopment prioritised business over loyalty. Many also felt the club’s poor Championship form made the timing of such plans insensitive.

Fan backlash forces Carrow Road rethink

The redevelopment would have seen the lower River End section cleared to accommodate away supporters and a fan zone built behind the Barclay Stand. 

Norwich fans called the proposals “unwanted” and said the club failed to properly engage them.

Emma Grant, a long-time supporter, said she was pleased the “pause button had been pressed” and urged the club to create a more open dialogue with the fanbase before resubmitting any new Carrow Road designs.

Attanasio responded directly to criticism on Canary Call, saying: “We are going to postpone it and have an informed session with our supporters that we probably should have had before this.”

Supporters welcome new approach

Following the outcry, Norwich issued a statement confirming the redevelopment delay to “consider feedback and optimise the plans.” The club also promised that affected fans would keep their seats for at least another year.

Jack Reeve from the Talk Norwich City fan channel called the U-turn “telling”, adding that Attanasio’s personal visit showed “how serious the situation had become.”

The Canaries Trust praised the decision, saying it proved the “importance of collaboration” between supporters and club leadership during major projects.

FGG Says

Norwich’s decision to pause the Carrow Road redevelopment is a smart and necessary move. Fan trust is fragile, and once broken, it is hard to rebuild. Clubs must always remember that supporters are the heartbeat of any project.

By opening the door to genuine consultation, Norwich now have a chance to repair relationships and design a stadium that reflects both ambition and tradition.