Object

Representation ID: 22427

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Norwich Green Party

We object to the proposal for a new urban extension at Taverham (1,400). A new strategic community in this location would be reliant on car use and therefore increase carbon emissions, air pollution and traffic pressures in the Wensum Valley area and increase different types of run-off including silt to the River Wensum SAC. Major development on land between the NDR and city edge would see further loss of countryside. As indicated, we believe that existing allocations should be developed before any new allocations.
The SA/SEA (Jan 2020) for Taverham and Ringland (B.47) confirms that the proposed Taverham and Ringland development cluster would have a major negative impact on Air Quality and Noise, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Education and Natural Resources and Waste. By way of mitigation, the SA/SEA recommends that focus on improving public transport, walking and cycling would be likely to help reduce carbon emissions emitted within Norwich.
However, the likelihood that high quality public transport can be provided from the outset of the development is unclear because the Transforming Cities bid has not been successful. In any case, the Fakenham Road and Reepham Road were not identified as among the six radial road corridors for upgrades to public transport infrastructure by the joint application. Therefore, unless alternative sources of funding can be obtained for developing a high quality public transport system for Norwich, a strategic development at Taverham is likely yo be car-dependent in much the same way that Thorpe Marriott has evolved.
Overall, we are concerned by the extent of car-based urban sprawl of Norwich as development has spread out into the open countryside, facilitated by road building. . Norwich is now strangled and its unique rural setting has been eroded by the Southern Bypass and NDR and a string of business parks, retail parks and other major developments clustering around land hungry junctions.