Comment
Draft Greater Norwich Local Plan – Part 1 The Strategy
Representation ID: 22411
Received: 16/03/2020
Respondent: Horsham Properties Ltd
Agent: Mrs Georgina Brotherton
Question 6 - Do you support or object to the vision and objectives for Greater Norwich?
4.2 The site owners support the vision and objectives for the Greater Norwich Area with regards to the economy as they recognise the role that smaller scale employment sites have in helping to deliver good access to jobs for all. However, the role that smaller scale employment sites across the area will play in delivering jobs should be recognised within Policy 6 ‘The Economy’, and a flexible policy approach should be adopted that allows for the appropriate expansion of existing small and medium size employment sites to meet needs not anticipated by the Local Plan and businesses changing requirements.
4.3 With the above national policy context in mind, we consider draft Policy 6 is not flexible enough to meet the changing requirements of businesses and request that paragraph 2 is amended to allow for the expansion of small and medium sized sites, such as Abbey Farm Commercial Park. We therefore request that Policy 6, Paragraph 2 is amended as follows:
2.The needs of small, medium and start-up businesses are addressed through: • the allocation and retention of smaller scale employment sites across the area and the potential expansion of, a range of existing small and medium sized sites (LPP suggested text); • encouraging the provision of small-scale business opportunities in all significant residential and commercial developments and through the appropriate use of rural buildings; • Encouraging flexible building design and innovative approaches in new and existing residential developments to encourage local working and business opportunities.
On behalf of our client, Horsham Properties Ltd and owner of Abbey Farm Commercial Park at Horsham St Faith, we write in respect of the Greater Norwich Local Plan, Regulation 18 - Part 1, The Strategy and Part 2 Site Allocations Consultation, published January 2020.
Please find attached LPP’s statement that sets out our representations regarding Site Reference HNF3 – Land at Abbey Farm Commercial Park, Horsham St Faith, that is allocated for employment uses within the Broadland District Council Site Allocations Development Plan Document (2016) and is identified as ‘Carried Forward Employment Allocation’ within the draft Greater Norwich Local Plan (GNLP) (2020).
This statement also considers the policies contained within Part 1 The Strategy set out within the draft GNLP and provides representations in respect of Policy 6 ‘The Economy’, Policy 7.4 ‘Village Clusters’ and responses to questions 6, 10, 15, 34 and 46. A response to each question has also been submitted via the GNLP online consultation portal.
This statement additionally identifies and seeks the allocation of land north of Abbey Farm Commercial Park (0.9 hectares), as a further modest extension to the Commercial Park for employment use.