OBJECTIONS TO GNLP 2019

No council transport plan or road layout has been presented to allow public comment and debate. As this has been an issue identified as a potential reason not to accept as a development site, it is essential the public sees a road plan before this site is accepted to go forward, so this can be commented on.
The assessments made of unacceptable sites nearby are also applicable to this site.The statement has been made that GNLP 0388 is an unacceptable site as (re Rectory Road) “There is an existing parking issue on the road (Rectory Road) and as such it would not be appropriate to service a development from it. The conflict between development and school traffic/parking would result in a safety concern.” GNLP 2019 is also on Rectory Road, and has very much the same difficulty. The fact that it is further down the road will mean some traffic may leave from Westbourne Road or Rectory Road north, but it is equally probable these cars from all houses, with possibility 2 cars. Crocus homes are intending to build 4,3 2 bedded high end houses which would in most cases mean 2 cars per household, so a total of up to 100 cars could be using onto a road which the G.NLP has already said has parking and access and safety issues. Exiting from the site into the village A. To the left on Rectory Road is the street GNLP has already said is too congested to receive more vehicles (assessment refGNLP0388) B to the right on Rectory Road is a narrow one way road with a hump back bridge with short visibility. C.Westbourne Road is the only other option and leads to a junction with the B1150 which has short visibility due to a bend, and a hump back bridge.
In relation to GNLP 2072 it is stated that it is unacceptable as “The site is located on a bend which restricts forward visibility and there is a safety concern regarding increased stopping and turning movements as the carriageway is constrained” The difficulties described are similar to the difficulties that exist on Rectory Road in relation to GNLP 2019 .
Assessments have been made of the highway difficulties of the other sites which are deemed unacceptable but NO assessment is given in relation to GNLP 2019 as “ Due to highway constraints in the vicinity of Rectory Road, submission of a transport assessment to assess the traffic implications of the proposed development on the surrounding road network demonstrating that the proposed scale of development can be accommodated will be required.” It is entirely unacceptable that the site GNLP 2019 is being presented to the public with lack of information on access as this is the final public consultation. Yet it is without a viable highway and access plan. No logic is given why other sites on Rectory Road have included assessments of access problems and it has been decided they are not acceptable but GNLP 2019 is continuing to be considered and endorsed. There is no indication how the access northwards along a single one way street with a hump bridge, an over parked and school access point lower Rectory Road and a semi blind exit to the B1500 are to be negotiated.
I asked to see the criteria by which the highways and access to sites are evaluated and I was told there is no objective measurement, it is evaluated by discussion. However the discussion is not recorded in the document and neither are any objective measurement of risks to compare sites.
In addition, the developers and the GNLP plan are suggesting Rectory Road can also accommodate a school car park. Again, placing a car park on a road that has already got a problem with traffic makes no sense. There is no room on this one way road at this point to accommodate the additional traffic attracted to a car park. Cars coming out would make there way in all directions and tail back mingling with the pedestrian traffic which comes up Rectory Road to Ling Way. How can it be that at this late stage these highway assessments are not available to the public.
The absence of public consultation on highway access in this, the final consultation document would be an absence which would then only allow comments going forward to consultation 19.
Coltishall public transport does not meet the GNLP criteria in the GNLP consultation document for frequency and time in working hours for it to be considered satisfactory public transport for commuting to work.(the GNLP stated criteria is every 30 minutes and covering both ends of commuting rush times) There is NO local evening transport, so all into evening and shift work journeys will be made by car. This is not in keeping with the aim of new developments being able to use public transport to commute.
This means that cars will be used by workers, potentially 50 workers in addition to the additional cars of the existing scheme with planning permissions. This will result in up to 100 people in all using cars to travel to Norwich or other areas, as there are not jobs in Coltishall for those numbers.This is contrary to the strategy of the transport plan 2018, and the GNLP stated aims to reduce congestion and emissions and build where public transport for commuting is available
The Bure valley railway foot and cycle path surface is deteriorated to the extent it does not allow use as cycle path to the Wroxham transport corridor. The road Coltishall to Wroxham is unsafe for Cyclists to use for access to the train or to access Broadland High School due to plans for straightening the road and improving cyclists safety being discontinued.
It has been suggested in previous documents that walking across the sport ground is a way children can get to Coltishall Primary school.This does not protect the space as a recreational area for other users and causes security issues to the back of the school. The entrance to the School is designed to be via St John’s Close. If this is changing this should be considered separately by a planning application which would be needed anyhow to extend school places.
Please note that elderly and unwell and urgent access is needed to the doctors surgery, where patients visit by foot and car and may occasionally be used by ambulances.
The B1150 is not in a transport corridor which can support developments of this size.The junction with the Northway particularly in the evening commute has 20 minutes northbound waits in peak rush hour. Congestion and idling traffic are a major cause of pollution. Developments north of Broadland will further increase this congestion as will the existing planning permissions next to GNLP2019 that has already been granted.
The Hill (see map) is a well used local recreational (horse, bike, walk ) route and also a walk to transport and to school route. Tourists walk and bike from the river up the lane to the main road. Residents in the lower part of Coltishall walk through the lane to catch the bus. The lane is a most popular circular jogging, dog walking and walkers recreational roadway. It is outside the 30 mile an hour zone, is single track and used by farm vehicles. It is also used by residents of the lane and the area for access to the main road. It is inappropriate for increased use.The effect on the lane by placing a development so near to it has not been assessed or referred to in the GNLP consultation document. It’s nearness to the site will result in cars using it for access to the lower villages amenities and the rail and bus bus links in the transport corridor and increase its use as a 2 way speed run. I can assure you as a non speed restricted narrow one track country lane it is entirely inappropriate to be used as a route to Wroxham, Broadland school, supermarkets and trains, but it will inevitably be used in this way and the most popular village round trip walk will become unfeasible for locals and tourists.
As you walk along The Hill (which in summer particularly has a steady steam of residents and tourists cycling, walking running etc) the houses of this development, GNLP2019 will be visible from the old lane and the rail way walk and view from the Bure Valley railway. The obtained planning permissions for Crocus homes is showing large dominating properties overlooking the rail walk and visible and dominating the popular Lane walk. A green corridor would help so it was not immediately looking onto the natural areas of the rail line walk, but would do nothing to stop houses dominating the view from the lane. It is essential the current hedging to the size is maintained and trees planted to soften the effect of this large development which would certainly diminish the enjoyment of a popular walk in Coltishall.
As the GNLP plan already is, I understand above the capacity it needs, particularly in relation to larger developer led projects, it is unreasonable that this site is considered appropriate of further consideration. In summary, it is a site that is out with the designated transport corridor and where public transport is not meeting GNLP commuting public transport criteria to be being considered viable. Therefore daily movement will be by car to work probably in Norwich, and back, leading to idling around the Northway and city centre congestion. Using the intended exits of the site with existing planning permissions disguises the fact that the roads, Westbourne Road and Rectory Road are totally unsuitable for the extraordinary amount of traffic that will be generated particularly at rush hour at the time when it will cross over pavements used by Ling Way residents and children.The transport plans are not prepared or presented, despite the fact that all other sites judged unacceptable have highway matters discussed in their assessment.The site GNLP 2019 is insufficiently assessed to consult the public on inclusion in the GNLP. If this is the last planned consultation, and it goes forward this means there has been no public consultation on the transport and road arrangements for this development.

Rectory Road is also a bus route, the bus turns with difficulty out of and into Westbourne Road and Rectory Road.
I note that Crocus homes have had chats with the highway department that they find encouraging. Why are the intentions for access provision not available for public scrutiny but are taking place in private discussion?

In summary Rectory Road is a residential street, it is not a main road. It is recognised by GNLP in assessments of other sites to be unsuitable to carry development (There is an existing parking issue on the road and as such it would not be appropriate to service a development from it. The conflict between development and school traffic/parking would result in a safety concern.)
-. Without a plan the additional vehicles, (which as crocus homes intends to build 4,3, and some 2 bedded homes could be 80-100) will use old village roads already unsuited to the amount of traffic.
The landowners and developers have not suggested a viable transport arrangement.


In summary Rectory Road is a residential street, it is not a main road. It is recognised by GNLP in assessments of other sites to be unsuitable to carry development (There is an existing parking issue on the road and as such it would not be appropriate to service a development from it. The conflict between development and school traffic/parking would result in a safety concern.)
-. Without a plan the additional vehicles, (which as crocus homes intends to build 4,3, and some 2 bedded homes could be 80-100) will use old village roads already unsuited to the amount of traffic.
The landowners and developers have not suggested a viable transport arrangement.
If the site is nevertheless adopted by GNLP despite the aboveI I suggest that the landowners and developers are required to mitigate against these catastrophic road arrangements by
a) subsidising public buses to bring bus service to the criteria in the GNLP for commuting.
b) subsidising evening buses for the social transport of the additional residents, to reduce cars.
c) update the Bure valley cycle path for access to Wroxham and access to transport corridor.
d) contribute to the improvements to the junctions of the B1150 and the Northway which currently has waits of 20 minutes in rush hour. The transport policy is aimed at reducing congestion, this contributes to it.
e) run commuter trains on the Bure valley miniature railway, for access to trains, and the travel corridors in Wroxham or Aylsham, and to Broadland high school.
f) protect the recreational use of the playing field.
g) protect ‘The Lane’ as a recreational resource for Coltishall and visitors and prevent its use for fast travelling vehicles.
h )Provisions for access ,noise and dust. how are vehicles used in construction going to navigate these already busy streets. The noise and dust from construction over no doubt a lengthy period will be in the school, and the school playground, and the recreational area. How will the school be protected?