Draft Greater Norwich Local Plan – Part 1 The Strategy

Whilst the overall strategy for village clusters contained in Policy 7.4 is supported, we believe
that the sites subject of these Representations should be included as part of the delivery of growth
in this part of Greater Norwich. The sites offer a good opportunity, with minimal constraints/impact
on the character of the village. Furthermore, the sites are not within a sensitive area, being within
a relatively dense residential area, and would ‘read’ as part of the residential area for this part of
the village.

We wish to submit an additional site for consideration to deliver circa. 30 dwellings. The site is well related to the main built form of Costessey and would provide the opportunity to deliver a sensitive development together with open space and an extension to the adjacent County Wildlife Site.

Whilst the role of the Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework is recognised, it is considered that additional emphasis should be placed upon the need to cooperate with neighbouring authorities. The need for, and impact of development does not stop at District boundaries, and given the scale of the Greater Norwich area and the level of growth proposed it is inevitable that this would have an impact upon need and delivery within surrounding districts.

The purpose of the plan is considered to be clear; to deliver new housing in a sustainable way so as to meet the challenges of climate change, and the move to a post-carbon economy. However, we would raise concerns as to whether the proposed approach to the distribution of growth, the carrying forward of a substantial percentage of previously allocated sites (82%), and the approach to new allocations, appropriately support this purpose.
Climate change, and the move to a post-carbon economy will be key factors to guiding growth, and the proposed flexibility within the draft strategy is welcomed. However, in times of such rapid change, complex challenges and significant opportunities a change to the status quo is required. The proposed carrying forward of allocations and concentration of growth to existing urban areas is considered to be misaligned with the aspirations of the Greater Norwich Local Plan, particularly in the context of Norwich City Council having declared a climate emergency and pledging to be carbon neutral by 2030, and the national target of 2050. Such an approach is considered to fail to adequately adapt to the changing circumstances and priorities of the Greater Norwich area, and beyond.
As such we would raise concerns that the strategy for growth and associated allocations are not forward thinking enough to deliver truly sustainable, resilient and attractive communities.
We would also raise concern regarding the delivery of a significant proportion of proposed carried forward allocations, in light of their not being delivered within the previous plan period. These sites should be subject to appropriate scrutiny, and more detailed evidence required from landowners and developers in order to demonstrate the ability to deliver within the Plan period. Without such, the delivery of the Strategy is placed at risk through opportunistic largescale development which undermines place-making, sustainability and climate resilience.

We believe that the spatial profile for the Greater Norwich area is accurate, however there appears to be a failure to recognise the influence Greater Norwich has on the whole County, though it is considered that this lessens as the distance increases. There is also a need to consider impacts on the ability to plan for and deliver growth which may arise from outside of the Greater Norwich area.

It should be ensured that the strategy, and all carried forward and new allocations protect and enhance the special characteristics of not only the Greater Norwich area, but the County and Region as a whole. In order to meet the challenges of climate change it is vital to protect designated and non-designated sites, valued landscapes and biodiversity.
The defining elements of the spatial profile need to be considered collectively, not in isolation from one another, both in the strategy and on the individual sites. The Plan provides the opportunity for a comprehensive programme of real change for the better within the Greater Norwich area.

We support the vision for Greater Norwich, it is considered that the proposals for a new settlement, Honingham Thorpe, with associated Country Park and relationship with the Food Enterprise Park would provide a unique opportunity to achieve these.

Greater emphasis should be placed on the need to direct housing away from areas at risk of flooding, both fluvial and surface water, in light of the predicated effects of climate change and increased flooding and extreme weather events.
Reference should be made for the need for measures to tackle surface water flooding to form part of a multi-functional network, for example as part of the green infrastructure and biodiversity measures.

Further clarification should be provided as to how delivery will be achieved, and how the delivery of individual sites will be evidenced, particularly for those sites which failed to deliver during the previous Plan period. Further clarification should also be provided on when the Council would seek to intervene in the non-delivery of infrastructure and how this would be done.

We support the approach to housing set out in the Delivery Statement. We would raise a query as to what will be considered as a “reasonable prospect of delivery”, this is particularly pertinent for those allocations proposed to be carried forward, some of which were carried forward from the 2004 Plan, which as yet remain undelivered.
The proposed new settlement Honingham Thorpe would deliver significant housing numbers together with jobs and on site infrastructure to create a truly sustainable community. The relationship of the site with the Food Enterprise Park would support a key growth area and the emerging agri-tech corridor, creating a holistic and mutually supportive relationship between the new community, the Food Enterprise Park, Easton College, Norwich Research Park and the UEA.
Clarion, as the country’s largest housing association and one of the country’s leading developers, are well placed to deliver, and have experience on a number of large joint venture schemes. A suite of technical information has been gathered by the comprehensive technical team of local consultants and Clarion’s own dedicated internal team to assess the site and ensure deliverability.