GNLP0133-E

If building development were to take place on this site it would be a serious intrusion into the Yare Valley greenspace, and a threat to the integrity of the Yare Valley in the performance of its green infrastructure roles. It would further increase pressure on the existing green infrastructure which is already under considerable pressure. Such development would be completely contrary to the stated aims of the Norwich Development Management Policy and the draft GNLP Strategy. It would be a clear signal to developers, and the public that Greater Norwich is not prepared to stand by its green infrastructure commitments.

I am of the strong opinion that this site should absolutely not be used for any student accommodation development whatsoever. Several locations have in recent years been selected and built on in Norwich for this purpose. The closeness of the protected Yare Valley landscape means that any proposed development would be detrimental to this space, irrespective of suggested planting and biodiversity enhancements. Housing for 400(!) students will have a certain negative impact on the local ecosystem. Urban sprawl in this location should be prohibited for the sake of retaining a public open space and recreation area.

This proposal should be rejected on the same grounds that the adjacent GNLP0133F was rejected, that "it is likely to have significant impacts on protected green space, green infrastructure and ecological networks". Moreover, the HELAA comparison table gives the rejected GNLP0133F more 'green' and fewer 'amber' judgements than this site which currently contains a few single storey buildings well hidden behind mature trees and hedges. This proposal would significantly encroach on the green corridor linking the Yare valley with Bluebell Woods and Eaton Park and is contrary to the Strategy principle (para 185) "of enhancing habitats and green infrastructure'.

The Valley Society objects to the inclusion of Site GNLP0133-E in the list of sites for development, for the reasons below:
Damaging intrusion into Yare Valley Character Area
The site is a damaging intrusion into the Yare Valley Character Area, interrupting the existing natural line of the Character Area, and narrowing the Yare Valley Green Infrastructure Corridor at this point in the Valley.
Impacts on the Valley Green Infrastructure Corridor ability to fulfil key roles
The Yare Valley Character Area is more than the sum of its parts. Any reduction in the Valley green infrastructure corridor impacts on its ability to function effectively in its roles of maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and supporting informal leisure.
Reduces a green infrastructure that is already under pressure due to overuse.
The Yare Valley Character Area is already under pressure from existing leisure activity overuse (e.g. over-worn paths). In the future it will have to meet the well-being needs of population growth from new nearby residential development currently under construction. It will also be needed to continue its other roles promoting biodiversity and combatting climate change. Now is the time to increase the Yare Valley green space, not to reduce it.
Contrary to Norwich Local Plan Policy DM6
The site lies wholly within the Yare Valley Character Area, as defined on the Norwich Local Plan Policies Map – South, Adopted December 2014, and is accorded special status in the Norwich Local Plan Policy DM6:
“Within the Yare Valley character area, as defined on the Policies map, development will only be permitted where it would not damage the environmental quality, biodiversity or character of the area and where it is for
1. agriculture or forestry purposes; or
2. facilities ancillary to outdoor sport and recreation; or
3. the limited extension of or alteration to existing buildings”
The proposed development seeks to overturn this long-accepted policy. Its inclusion would signal a lack of determination of Norwich to act effectively to safeguard important green infrastructure.
Contrary to Policies of “The Strategy” in the draft GNLP
The importance of green infrastructure is rightly recognised in a number of policies in the draft GNLP Part 1 The Strategy. The policies seek to conserve and enhance the green infrastructure. The policies do not seek to destroy or degrade the green infrastructure.
Two examples are:
POLICY 3 – ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT
“Development proposals will be required to conserve and enhance the natural environment. Key elements of the natural environment include valued landscapes, biodiversity including priority habitats, networks and species, geodiversity, …”
POLICY 7.1 – The Norwich Urban Area including the fringe parishes:
“Growth will include …Enhancements to the green infrastructure network which include links to and within the Wensum, Yare, Tud and Tas Valleys, Marriott’s Way and from Mousehold through the north-east growth triangle as set out in map 8, along with local networks.”
Other policies emphasizing the importance of green infrastructure are in POLICY 1 THE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH STRATEGY and POLICY 6 THE ECONOMY.
The inclusion of the site suggests that Greater Norwich is not serious about implementing its declared green infrastructure policy.

I strenuously object to building development on this site (GNLP0133-E) as this would be a grievous intrusion into the Yare Valley green space and the existing wildlife would most certainly be compromised. Development of this space would be completely contrary to the stated aims of the Norwich Development Management Policy and the draft GNLP Strategy. Greater Norwich must be prepared to stand by its green infrastructure commitments and saying NO to this development would be a clear signal to developers.

There is continued emphasis being placed on green infrastructure in its various roles of sustaining wildlife abundance and diversity, providing green space for local community well-being, and combatting the impact of climate change. The paths in the Yare Valley are already over-used. We must uphold existing and drafted proposed policies which seek to conserve and enhance green infrastructure. The Yare Valley is of utmost importance to me: I spend many hours in this green space each and every week.

I am requesting that the site be withdrawn fro the list of sites for development.

I have hundreds of photographs of the Yare Valley that demonstrate the variety of wildlife that calls this area home and of the plants and fungus that thrive here: please preserve this beautiful green space.

Unlike other allocation policies there is no reference to water efficiency forming part of the design of this student accomodation development.

There is also no reference made to existing surface water sewer being considered as part of the site layout and design in the site specific requirements.

I endorse the arguments of the Yare Valley Society. As a long-term resident in the area, and ex UEA student and staff member, I support the need to preserve the Yare Valley as an amenity providing a healthy environment for humans and wildlife. No more buildings please.

This development would represent a significant reduction in the green spaces on the south of Norwich which are already under threat from incursion by major developments such as McCarthy Stone's old persons' accommodation.
To start encroaching from the opposite end of Strawberry Field would lead this whole area to be built on eventually to the detriment of the quality of life for the human inhabitants and the wildlife. The UEA has already massively over-developed on its site with disregard for the original plan for a harmonious relationship between the University and its environment.
I am surprised that there is a need for more student accommodation given the considerable quantity of this product being developed in the centre of Norwich - but suspect that the UEA is less concerned about the overall impact on Norwich than getting income from on campus accommodation.
I oppose this development most strongly.

I wish to oppose the proposal to construct a substantial student residences building on this site. My grounds are as follows:
(1) A very large number of student residences have recently been built or are being constructed by private developers in the City. Is there convincing evidence that the future demand for such accommodation is likely to keep pace with the supply? On the contrary, a rapid expansion in demand for HE places is looking far less likely in a world of economic uncertainty and in post Brexit Britain in particular. Adding to the supply of accommodation would seem very unwise.
(2) Building in this location, within the Yare ValleyCharacter Area, would further erode this valuable green corridor and in doing so would be contrary to the Norwich city development policy. The valley at this particular location is narrow and especially vulnerable.
(3) The declared strategy in the draft GNLP states an intention to extend and enhance the green infrastructure of the area. This proposed building would have precisely the opposite effect.

On all these grounds, I strongly oppose the development.

I wish to object to the above plan as the Yare Valley is an area of beauty that needs to be protected for future generations and this development will seriously detract from the character of the local environment

I wish to comment on GNLP0133-E on the GNLP.

I wish to oppose this development.

UEA has already caused significant damage to the Yare valley and any further building on site should be stopped.

This proposal spreads the area of damage further south along Bluebell Road.

The Yare Valley is already over-used in this area, with paths becoming increasingly wide, more and more buildings and the construction of concrete and tarred paths in what was once a beautiful green space. Building yet more student accommodation here will add to the already significant pressure on the river valley. It will also be visually intrusive.

Any further reduction in green spaces in the Yare Valley Character Area will have a significant impact on its ability to function effectively in its roles of maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and supporting informal leisure. We need more, not less, green space.

Several Policies in “The Strategy” of the draft GNLP emphasise the importance of green infrastructure, and the intention to extend and enhance it. But the inclusion of the site in the draft GNLP contradicts these stated intentions and would signal that Greater Norwich is not serious about implementing its own declared green infrastructure policies.

I wish to express my strong objection to the GNLP allocation of site GNLP0133-E between the Bluebell Road and the University Broad for the building of student accommodation.
The inclusion of this site for a building development, equivalent to 160 homes, would be a serious intrusion into the recognised, and supposedly protected, Yare Valley Character Area, and would set a dangerous precedent for building development in the Valley in the future.
My comments are in alignment with those of the Year Valley Society:
• The Yare Valley Character Area is more than the sum of its parts. Any reduction in the Valley green infrastructure corridor impacts on its ability to function effectively in its roles of maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and supporting informal leisure.
• The Yare Valley Character Area is already under pressure from existing leisure activity overuse (e.g. over-worn paths). In the future it will have to meet the well-being needs of an additional population from new nearby residential development currently under construction. Now is the time to increase the Yare Valley green space, not to reduce it.
• The intrusion of building development into the Yare Valley Character Area would be contrary to existing (and continuing) Norwich Development Management Policy which seeks to safeguard the Yare Valley Character Area from building development of this kind.
• Several of the Policies of “The Strategy” of the draft GNLP emphasize the importance of green infrastructure, and the intention to extend and enhance it. The inclusion of the site in the draft GNLP contradicts the stated intention and would signal that Greater Norwich is not serious about implementing its own declared green infrastructure policies.

I strongly object to this proposal by UEA to develop this site.

This proposal is a direct invasion of the green corridor of the Yare Valley which has been long valued as a green infrastructure corridor, supporting informal leisure and maintaining biodiversity. This inclusion by UEA is a test of the integrity of the Council to stand by its words on green infrastructure.
The Yare Valley is a precious resource which is being squeezed from all sides, due to inappropriate development. We should be looking to increase green space for the future well being of people and the planet.
The new housing in the area of Colney and Cringleford will put great pressure on the valley without the creeping invasion of UEA along the Bluebell lane.

Please have the courage and integrity to tell the UEA to plant trees instead!

I would like to object to the GNLP allocation of site GNLP0133-E between Bluebell Road and University Broad for the building of student accommodation, equivalent to 160 homes.
The proposed site will impact negatively on the Broad, destroying wildlife habitats and causing noise and light pollution.
At present the area is used extensively by local residents and students. It has become very busy.

I wish to object in the strongest terms to the inclusion of this site for the development of student accommodation. The site is part of the Yare Valley, which is supposed to be protected already under the Norwich Development Management Policy, and under the GNLP policies exist to extend and enhance green infrastructure and underline its importance. This proposal is directly contrary to such policies.

Any such development would be a major and damaging intrusion into the Yare Valley and would reduce and put further pressure onto an already limited area ahich currently serves to provide leisure space, biodiversity, andd climate benefits in an increasingly urban area.

Please do not approve this proposal.

some thoughts about the impact of the development:
• The Yare Valley Character Area is more than the sum of its parts. Any reduction in the Valley green infrastructure corridor impacts on its ability to function effectively in its roles of maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and supporting informal leisure.
• The Yare Valley Character Area is already under pressure from existing leisure activity overuse (e.g. over-worn paths). In the future it will have to meet the well-being needs of an additional population from new nearby residential development currently under construction. Now is the time to increase the Yare Valley green space, not to reduce it.
• The intrusion of building development into the Yare Valley Character Area would be contrary to existing (and continuing) Norwich Development Management Policy which seeks to safeguard the Yare Valley Character Area from building development of this kind.
• Several of the Policies of “The Strategy” of the draft GNLP emphasize the importance of green infrastructure, and the intention to extend and enhance it. The inclusion of the site in the draft GNLP contradicts stated intentions and would signal that Greater Norwich is not serious about implementing its own declared green infrastructure policies.

Please see attached for full submission

Please see attached for full submission

Having viewed the above local plan at both the Cringleford and Millennium Library displays, I have the following comments to make on specific sites in South West Norwich.

First and foremost I am an advocate for preserving the landscape and environment of the Yare Valley. My views are endorsed by the fact that recent high river flows have seen extensive flooding of the Yare Flood Plain. This can only be further exacerbated by climate change and further development within the River Yare catchment. The conservation measures to safeguard wildlife is also imperative for this area.

Site Specific.
1. R42 i.e. the retirement development on the former Bartrum Mowers site.
Reluctantly I accept the need for extending the current development on this site given the fact that facilities have already been established there.

2. GNLP 1033-F (Strawberry Fields).
I strongly wish to see preserved the current amenity this site represents, free of development.

3. GNLP 1033-E (Current UEA Research Establishment - North Park Avenue.
I object to the proposal of further student accommodation proposed at this site. This is influenced by the fact that substantial student accommodation is being provided within the city centre regeneration plan. i.e. former Norwich Union office accommodation.

4. I am informed that previous permission has been given to the UEA for student accommodation within the UEA park the lakeside of the accommodation road from North Park Avenue. This requires the removal of an established belt of trees which hides the stark reality of 1960s architecture of existing UEA accommodation. Also for the reasons given in 3 above.

For full representation, please refer to attached documents

Please find attached a Regulation 18 Stage C Consultation Representation, in relation to GNLP0133-E, Land at UEA Grounds Depot Site, Bluebell Road.