The Valley Society objects to the inclusion of Site GNLP0133-E in the list of sites for development, for the reasons below:
Damaging intrusion into Yare Valley Character Area
The site is a damaging intrusion into the Yare Valley Character Area, interrupting the existing natural line of the Character Area, and narrowing the Yare Valley Green Infrastructure Corridor at this point in the Valley.
Impacts on the Valley Green Infrastructure Corridor ability to fulfil key roles
The Yare Valley Character Area is more than the sum of its parts. Any reduction in the Valley green infrastructure corridor impacts on its ability to function effectively in its roles of maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and supporting informal leisure.
Reduces a green infrastructure that is already under pressure due to overuse.
The Yare Valley Character Area is already under pressure from existing leisure activity overuse (e.g. over-worn paths). In the future it will have to meet the well-being needs of population growth from new nearby residential development currently under construction. It will also be needed to continue its other roles promoting biodiversity and combatting climate change. Now is the time to increase the Yare Valley green space, not to reduce it.
Contrary to Norwich Local Plan Policy DM6
The site lies wholly within the Yare Valley Character Area, as defined on the Norwich Local Plan Policies Map – South, Adopted December 2014, and is accorded special status in the Norwich Local Plan Policy DM6:
“Within the Yare Valley character area, as defined on the Policies map, development will only be permitted where it would not damage the environmental quality, biodiversity or character of the area and where it is for
1. agriculture or forestry purposes; or
2. facilities ancillary to outdoor sport and recreation; or
3. the limited extension of or alteration to existing buildings”
The proposed development seeks to overturn this long-accepted policy. Its inclusion would signal a lack of determination of Norwich to act effectively to safeguard important green infrastructure.
Contrary to Policies of “The Strategy” in the draft GNLP
The importance of green infrastructure is rightly recognised in a number of policies in the draft GNLP Part 1 The Strategy. The policies seek to conserve and enhance the green infrastructure. The policies do not seek to destroy or degrade the green infrastructure.
Two examples are:
POLICY 3 – ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT
“Development proposals will be required to conserve and enhance the natural environment. Key elements of the natural environment include valued landscapes, biodiversity including priority habitats, networks and species, geodiversity, …”
POLICY 7.1 – The Norwich Urban Area including the fringe parishes:
“Growth will include …Enhancements to the green infrastructure network which include links to and within the Wensum, Yare, Tud and Tas Valleys, Marriott’s Way and from Mousehold through the north-east growth triangle as set out in map 8, along with local networks.”
Other policies emphasizing the importance of green infrastructure are in POLICY 1 THE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH STRATEGY and POLICY 6 THE ECONOMY.
The inclusion of the site suggests that Greater Norwich is not serious about implementing its declared green infrastructure policy.