GNLP 0214
Keswick is identified as an "Other Village" within Policy 16 of the Joint Core Strategy (JCS) for Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk. The development boundary (in Keswick) has been tightly drawn around the existing built up area along Low Road to prevent further extension of growth into the surrounding countryside and to exclude those areas subject to flooding.
The "call for sites" reference GNLP 0214 has been previously rejected for precisely the reasons of its location in relation to the existing boundary and its being in a flood risk area. Any change in this regard would be a significant policy change necessitating a radical redrawing of the existing boundary and damaging in relation to maintaining the rural nature of the area.
Policy DM 4.5 of the existing Local Plan in relation to the protection of Landscape Character and River Valleys is unequivocal in stating that: "All development should respect, conserve and where possible, enhance the landscape character of its immediate and wider environment. Development proposals that would cause significant adverse impact on the distinctive landscape characteristics of an area will be refused".
Moreover, the emerging GNLP seeks to maintain the protection and enhancement of recognised and valued landscapes by maintaining existing policies. The Keswick and Intwood Parish Council believe GNLP 0214 is contrary to these policies and would have an adverse impact on the unspoiled nature of the river valley.
The emerging Local Plan seeks to maintain the existing Strategic Policies of avoiding allocating land for development in Flood Zones 2 and 3 (SP 4). The northerly margins of the site GNLP 0214 falls within Flood Zones 2 and 3 thus being subject to the highest probability of flooding. Furthermore, vehicular access to the site runs adjacent to a drainage ditch of grazing meadows on land which is classified as Flood Zone 3, the highest possibility of flooding and classified as "high risk" on Environment Agency mapping. The Parish Council believes it would be contrary to national and local policy to allow the development with such a high risk of surface water flooding.
In conclusion, Keswick and Intwood Parish Council therefore object to any redrawing of the existing development boundary to encompass this site.