Comment
Draft Greater Norwich Local Plan – Part 1 The Strategy
Representation ID: 22414
Received: 16/03/2020
Respondent: Horsham Properties Ltd
Agent: Mrs Georgina Brotherton
Question 10 - Do you support, object, or have any comments relating to the approach to Economic Development set out in the Delivery Statement?
4.4 The site owners do not support the approach to economic development with regards to existing small and medium sized employment sites. Section 3 sets out the reasons why Policy 6 ‘The Economy’ requires amending because as drafted, it does not align with the vision and objectives of the GNLP or the NPPF - Section 6 ‘Building a Strong and Competitive Economy’. It is therefore requested that Policy 6 is amended to allow for the expansion of small and medium sized employment sites.
4.5 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.