Comment

Representation ID: 22125

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: M Scott Properties Ltd

Agent: Strutt & Parker LLP

The vision for the Local Plan is to achieve a ‘vibrant, healthy, inclusive and growing communities supported by the delivery of new homes, infrastructure and an enhanced environment.’ It is clear from Section 3 – The Vision and Objectives for Greater Norwich that a key theme throughout is playing a part in the national commitments to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Scott Properties is passionate about the need to address Climate Change. It is agreed that this is one of the most important factors to our future and as such should be a key consideration in the preparation of the new Local Plan.

Chapter 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) focusses on ‘Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change’.
“The planning system should support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate, taking full account of flood risk and coastal change. It should help to: shape places in ways that contribute to radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, minimise vulnerability and improve resilience; encourage the reuse of existing resources, including the conversion of existing buildings; and support renewable and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure.”
(Paragraph 148 – NPPF, 2019)

The Plan needs to be visionary looking forward beyond 2038, in particular having regard to the Government’s commitment to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2050. The Plan also needs to understand what the implications of Net Zero Carbon will be, and develop an appropriate strategy to ensure that this will be achievable within the plan area.

We believe that our client’s site that has been considered as a Reasonable Alternative can help address the visions and objectives for the Greater Norwich. The scheme currently proposed at Land between Shelfanger and Mount Street could provide approximately 24 single-storey dwellings and publicly accessible open space, whilst facilitating the future expansion of the medical centre through a land transfer. Most importantly, the extensive area of new publicly accessible open space will make a positive contribution to the community’s health and well-being and can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements.