HEL2

it is important that there is consultation with the local parish council in order to consider the Hellesdon Neighbourhood Plan when designing subsequent phases of this development. This is particularly the case regarding the Green Grid concept in this plan which is designed to help the local environment. Unfortunately there has been no contact yet, this must happen prior to plans for phase 2. Also the planning department’s consideration of these plans must hold the local plan in mind and see that it is reflected as much as possible in them. Otherwise this would be a failure of local democracy

Persimmon Homes (Anglia) Response to Greater Norwich Local Plan (Regulation
18) Policy HEL 2 - Land at the Royal Norwich Golf Club, Hellesdon

I am instructed by Persimmon Homes (Anglia) to respond to the current Greater Norwich Local Plan
(Regulation 18) consultation specifically in relation to Policy HEL 2 - Land at the Royal Norwich Golf
Club, Hellesdon. Persimmon Homes (Anglia) control the site which has the benefit of planning
permission and is being developed.

Background
The original Royal Norwich Golf Club application 20151770 was consented by Broadland District Council
on 6 December 2015. Permission was granted for the demolition of the club house and the development
of up to 1,000 homes and associated infrastructure included a primary school site, community uses, and
open space; detailed consent was given for the first phase of 108 dwellings. In total the site extends to
45.7 hectares (split either side of the Drayton High Road). The original outline application requires
compliance with approved parameter plans, including for layout, land use and density and a Masterplan.
The Masterplan is currently being revised to take account of additional requirements imposed on the
consent not anticipated by the previous allocation policy.

Response to GNLP Consultation – Policy HEL 2: Land at the Royal Norwich Golf
Club, Hellesdon
Persimmon Homes (Anglia) notes that the Policy HEL 2 is partially updated from the version included in
the Broadland Site Allocations DPD. However, Persimmon Homes (Anglia) considers that the Policy
wording should be redrafted to better reflect the fact that planning consent has been granted and that
most of the policy requirements identified in the emerging policy have been/will be addressed through the
implementation of the planning consent and its associated conditions and the Section 106 legal
Agreement. For instance, the school site is secured through the masterplan and S106, the golf course
has been provided elsewhere; and the highways matters have been agreed.
Persimmon Homes (Anglia) are content for the land allocation to roll forward, but suggest that the Policy
is updated to acknowledge that it is a committed and implemented site and to reflect the implications of
additional requirements imposed on the scheme since the original policy was approved.

Suggested changes
Persimmon Homes (Anglia) suggests that rather than simply roll forward the previous Local Plan
allocation and a revised Policy HEL 2, the Local Plan should acknowledge that the ‘allocation’, is now a
committed site (i.e. a site with planning permission); and it should be notated as such and incorporated
within the Settlement boundary. The policy should also take account of the implications of the additional
requirements imposed on the site since the original policy was developed, such as the provision of
playing pitches and retention of significantly more trees than anticipated, which inevitably have an impact
on the capacity of the site to accommodate the level of dwellings specified in the Policy. The Policy’s
housing figure should therefore be expressed as an ‘up to’ figure in accordance with the planning permission; and particularly as it is currently by no means certain that 1,000 homes can be
accommodated on the site given the additional constraints and requirements.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Persimmon Homes (Anglia) supports the Local Plan’s acknowledgement that the site HEL
2: Land at the Royal Norwich Golf Club, Hellesdon is capable of accommodating homes and supports
the allocation’s roll forward. However, the accompanying policy should acknowledge the fact that
planning permission has been granted and the majority of the suggested policy requirements have been
met. It should also reflect the implications of the additional requirements imposed upon the scheme
since the original policy was approved, which potentially impacts on the ability of the site to meet the
numbers specified in the Policy (1,000 homes). For this reason, the housing requirement figure should
be expressed as an ‘up to’ figure.
Persimmon Homes (Anglia) remain very happy to continue to work with the Authorities to discuss the
revised masterplan and the ability of the scheme to meet the Policy’s expectations in terms of housing
numbers (market and affordable).