Object

Representation ID: 22752

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Mr Bryan Robinson

The GNLP appears to be concentrate on developments in Broadland and South Norfolk both for employment and housing increasing reliance on private transport ignoring the vision for Norwich by the City Council. The consultation lacks clarity for the future of Norwich and its relationship with the rest of the county. The predominance of employment and retail at the edge of the city coupled with the policy of more rural housing suggest the county is intended as a dormitory to the economic fringes of Norwich and acceptance of the continued decline of the city centre.

The Plan ignores the concerns in the Norwich Economic Strategy of the unimplemented B1 office consents in Broadland and simply adds more employment provision to the north of Norwch.

This is a fundamental flaw in considering Greater Norwich in isolation to the rest of the county. Large numbers of the working population of Norwich live over 20 miles away from their workplace. There pool of qualified labour already exists in the larger towns and surrounding areas and it would seem logical that employment land is made available there rather than all in Norwich.

The Travel To Work Area (TTWA) for Norwich in the 2018 Norwich Economic Assessment covers an much wider area than that of Greater Norwich.

There are several large towns within the Norwich TTWA both within and outside the Greater Norwich area which are completely ignored in the consultation. What is the model and vision for these towns and the rest of the county?

Historically, the rural hinterland has been attracted to the major local towns and villages for employment and shopping. The policy of concentrating employment in Norwich and the endless rise in personal transport now attracts this population to the City to the detriment of the towns.

Any consultation solely centred on Greater Norwich will continue the decline of Norfolk’s towns. I contend that the economy of the county is the most important contributory factor to the prosperity of Norwich.

I therefore contest that the GNLP proposals present a coherent plan and are sustainable.