Amec Foster Wheeler Environment and Infrastructure UK Limited (Amec Foster Wheeler) submitted land in response to the Call for Sites in 2016 as part of the Greater Norwich Local Plan preparation on behalf of Hopkins Homes Limited (hereafter referred to as Hopkins Homes). An L-shaped area of greenfield land extending to approximately 15ha at Salhouse Road, Wroxham was submitted. The Site has been assigned reference number GNLP0504.

A high-level Concept Masterplan was prepared to demonstrate the potential this location and was submitted to the Council. On submitting the site, it was noted that the Concept Masterplan presented was only one possible solution of how the site could be developed and it would be a basis for further testing and discussion. It was noted that within this area there are smaller options to meet a range of development needs. Since submitting the site Hopkins Homes has held further discussions with the land owner, Wroxham Parish Council and the District Council. After further consideration, we wish to amend the site option and replace it with two smaller options for the Council's consideration:
Option 1 - Land east of Wherry Gardens: This is a reduced option comprising part of the land previously submitted under reference GNLP0504. The option has omitted land south of Charles Close and north of The Avenue, along the eastern edge of the site. The reduced option now comprises a rectangular parcel of land south of properties in Keys Drive and abuts Salhouse Road to the west and The Avenue to the south. The site presents a logical and sustainable location for new housing provision and would provide a natural rounding off, of the settlement edge. The site relates well to the existing built form and is viewed within an urban context. Opportunities exist to create a vehicular access from either Salhouse Road or The Avenue subject to further analysis and detailed access design.

Option 2 - Land south of Wherry Gardens: The site comprises a square parcel of land which is bound by Hopkins Homes' Wherry Gardens development to the north and by native hedgerows and mature hedgerow trees to the south. The eastern boundary abuts Salhouse Road whilst the western boundary abuts the railway line. The site presents a natural extension of the Wherry Gardens development. The main estate road through Wherry Gardens can be extended to provide access to this land and there is also potential to create a second access onto Salhouse Road. The landscape framework, including mature hedgerows on the southern boundary present a logical extension to the settlement boundary.
Site submission forms, a location plan and a concept plan for both site options (land East of Salhouse Road and land south of Wherry Gardens) as above have been sent to the council separately.
Both options could be brought forward at any time to assist in maintaining a deliverable supply of housing land in line with the emphasis of the NPPF. High-level Concept Masterplans have been prepared to demonstrate the potential of these sites to assist the Council in meeting its development needs. They have been developed on the basis of some limited initial technical work and desktop analysis. Should the Council identify either of the sites through its emerging Plan, the options would be the basis for further analysis and testing by Hopkins Homes to support their allocation.
These options have significant potential to assist the Council in meeting its substantial development needs. The sites provide a highly deliverable and developable location in line with guidance in the NPPF. In particular, the sites are available now, they offer a suitable location for development and are achievable with a realistic prospect that housing will be delivered within five years. The sites are deliverable because:

They are not covered by any strategic constraints which would prevent development. Unlike many areas within the District, the sites are not at risk of flooding and the area proposed for development is entirely located in Flood Zone 1 (lowest probability of flooding).

The sites present a logical and sustainable location for new housing provision. They can deliver a quality development to assist in meeting the significant development needs in the District and widen housing choice in Wroxham. They also have the ability to deliver development on land free of any overriding constraints. It is likely to be an attractive location for further housing.
Hopkins Homes is willing to bring the sites forward. The sites can deliver quality development to assist in meeting the Local Plan requirement, including a mix of dwellings as well as a proportion of affordable homes to meet local needs. Given the extent of the landholding and the strategic benefits of developing this land it provides significant advantages over other locations and should be a priority for allocation in preparing the Local Plan. The sites provide an important opportunity to plan for longer term needs and provide certainty for local communities.

It should also be recognised that the scenarios identified in the Concept Masterplans are only one possibility of how the sites could be developed. They could work in combination or individually to meet a range of development needs or spatial scenarios. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss such matters further with the Council.