Support

Representation ID: 22973

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Barratt David Wilson Homes

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group

Our client supports the promotion of a greater shift towards non-car modes of travel in the Norwich urban area by focussing high density growth in locations with good access to sustainable transport networks. Cringleford is identified as a fringe parish that as part of the Norwich urban area is a location where higher densities should be promoted to help achieve this shift. As part of the developments already consented in Cringleford there have been significant enhancements to public transport connectivity and routes for non-motorised users. As consented sites are built out further improvements will be made to sustainable travel networks to enable new and existing Cringleford residents to access the services, facilities and job opportunities in the Greater Norwich area.

In addition to the improvements to sustainable travel networks the Travel Plans required for new residential developments in the village will help promote sustainable travel for residents as they move into new homes. In order to maximise the benefits of the infrastructure that has already been secured for Cringleford it is essential that the proposed uplift in numbers for the village makes the most efficient use of land in this sustainable location. Our earlier comments on the site are relevant in this context. By failing to make the most efficient use of land in this sustainable location additional homes would be more likely to be accommodated in less sustainable locations where new residents would have limited access to sustainable modes of travel. Specifically, there are concerns that the proposed allocations through the South Norfolk Village Clusters Housing Sites Allocation document would deliver less sustainable forms of development in lower order settlements. This would lead to greater car dependency and the negative health and environmental impacts that this creates. Therefore, maximising the use of land in higher order settlements, near to places of employment in Norwich, is a sound approach to accommodating the future housing needs of the Greater Norwich area.

Investing in public transport infrastructure is only one part of the solution and for some the infrequency of services is a constraint to its use. Whilst cycling and walking also have their limitations there is clearly merit on focussing growth in location where new residents can walk and cycle to facilities and services as well as being able to cycle to higher order settlements, such as Norwich, to meet employment and wider recreational needs.

One of the most important pieces of infrastructure, which is often overlooked, is social infrastructure. That is why the Councils need to focus growth on sites on the edges of existing sustainable settlements where new residents can benefit from established social infrastructure. By allowing new residents the opportunity to walk and cycle to meet their daily needs it also creates greater opportunities for positive interactions between new and existing residents. Our client’s site offers the opportunity to accommodate more homes within the popular village of Cringleford where new residents will be integrated into the existing community and benefit from existing infrastructure. Therefore, the Councils must make the most of this opportunity to maximise the use of this site by increasing the number of new homes proposed as an uplift to the allocation.