Object

Representation ID: 22761

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Mr Bryan Robinson

I again support the CPRE Norfolk position that ‘the GNLP must also assist the move to a post-carbon economy and protect and enhance our many environmental assets’ (draft GNLP consultation p7.) It will be difficult if not impossible to meet these targets if the new housing targets and dispersal of sites proposed in the draft strategy are adopted. Dispersal of development increases the number of car journeys and journeys by delivery vehicles to new housing, along with the associated congestion on smaller rural roads.

In addition, CPRE Norfolk is concerned by the lack of any detailed policy on the design of new housing in the draft Plan document, other than a brief mention in the ‘Design of development’ in the Climate Change Statement. Detailed requirements to insist that new houses are built to the highest possible environmental standards beyond the Government’s minimum standards are needed, if serious steps are to be taken towards addressing Climate Change issues.

Notwithstanding current Development Standards that specific percentages of energy provisions must be green, Councils are currently allowing developers to satisfy his requirement using calculations that the total energy usage is reduced by this percentage with the design of the houses. Both aspects should apply; the overall energy should be reduced and the green percentage applied to the reduced consumption.

The interdependence of all parts of everyday life has become ever more complicated. The current world coronavirus emergency highlights that greater analysis is required rather than simple unsubstantiated statements that a plan is sustainable. There are many variable factors outside the control of the plan makers that should but have not been considered.

Sustainability is ensuring future generations can enjoy a better quality of life than the current populations. It must be obvious that recent polices have derogated the countryside, village life and town centres. New plans should identify new policies to reverse this decline but the consultation again ignores this aspect.