Policy 0133BR

Continue to suggest HIA for campus as a whole now ahead of the EiP.

Thank you for consulting Historic England on the Greater Norwich Local Plan Regulation 19 Draft including The Strategy and The Sites. As a statutory consultee, our role is to ensure that the conservation of the historic environment is fully integrated into planning policy and that any policy documents make provision for a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment.

Our comments below should be read with reference to our previous comments dated 1.2.17, 15.3.18, 4.12.1, 26.4.19 and 16.3.20. Please also see our detailed comments in the attached tables, Appendix A in relation to The Strategy and Appendix B regarding The Sites.

SUMMARY
The Greater Norwich Local Plan covers the Strategy and Site Allocations. While commenting on the plan as a whole, Historic England is particularly concerned, for its implications for Norwich itself. Norwich is one of England’s great historic cities, and its architectural and historic character, and the sense of place associated with that, make a profound and wholly beneficial contribution to the city’s well-being.

In line with paragraph 185 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) it is important that the Plan should set out a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment, including heritage assets most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats.

To ensure the legal compliance of the policy wording, we would suggest that reference to 'Use Class F1' is revised to read 'Use Class F.1'. This is suggested to ensure exact compliance with the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020.

On behalf of our clients the University of East Anglia, we support the proposed allocation of Policy GNLP0133-BR – Land adjoining the Enterprise Centre at Earlham Hall, within the Pre-Submission (Reg 19) Joint Local Plan.

A minor modification to policy wording, specified within Section 6 of this document, outlines the amendment we consider is necessary to achieve legal compliance.

Delivery of the site within the Plan period to 2038 is achievable, and the site remains suitable, available, achievable and viable for the following reasons:

Suitable
The identification of the site as a draft allocation will help to support the expansion of the UEA, alongside sustaining and enhancing the valuable role which the UEA holds for Norwich and the wider context. The UEA are fully committed to development on this site, and view it as an integral part of meeting the UEA’s future growth requirements.

Available
The site, in its entirety, is owned by the UEA, and there are no leases or restrictive covenants on the site. Consequently, the site is readily available for development.

Achievable
There are no site-specific constraints which could preclude the delivery of university related uses on the site. Therefore, delivery of university related uses on the site is deemed to be entirely achievable.

Viable
We are confident that the delivery of the site is viable having regard to the policy requirements of the draft GNLP and there are no factors that we are aware of, at this moment in time, that could prevent the delivery of the site.