Draft Greater Norwich Local Plan – Part 1 The Strategy

Comment

Representation ID: 23003

Received: 13/03/2020

Respondent: Bidwells

The Greater Norwich Local Plan, Interim Viability Study, prepared by NPS Group (November 2019), only covers mainstream residential development, and not UEA related academic development or purpose-built student accommodation.

Notwithstanding this, the UEA are confident that the delivery of GNLP0133-B, GNLP0133-C, GNLP0133-D, GNLP0133-ER and GNLP0140-C are viable, having regards to the policy requirements of the draft GNLP, alongside no factors that UEA are aware of, at this moment in time, which could prevent delivery of these sites. However, given the duration of the plan period, it is important that there is sufficient flexibility within the plan to re-visit the viability of development projects/sites as they come forward and to reflect any changes in circumstances which could question the viability of fulfilling all policy requirements set out within the plan.

Support

Representation ID: 23011

Received: 13/03/2020

Respondent: Bidwells

Yes

Support

Representation ID: 23012

Received: 13/03/2020

Respondent: Bidwells

Support, with comments.
The objective of delivering high quality homes that contribute to the delivery of mixed, inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities that are supported by appropriate economic and social infrastructure is fully supported. The approach is fully consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework.

Support

Representation ID: 23013

Received: 13/03/2020

Respondent: Bidwells

Support, with comments

The requirement that sites should only be allocated for housing where, having regard to policy requirements, there is a reasonable prospect that housing can be delivered, fully accords with paragraph 67 of the NPPF.

Whilst the submission of Delivery Plans as part of a planning application is supported the documents need to recognise that there may be unforeseen material changes in circumstances, which could impact the delivery of an allocation.

However, to guard against non-delivery, particularly in relation to the potential failure of larger strategic sites in the Norwich urban area to come forward, a minimum buffer of 10% should be identified. Indeed, the draft GNLP states on page 45 that the Regulation 19 version of the Plan will aim to provide a minimum buffer of 10% (at least 250 further homes), which is likely to be provided through a combination of additional sites proposed through the consultation, and the contingency sites.

This identified buffer will help maintain the supply and delivery of housing, in accordance with the NPPF and specifically the Government’s objective of encouraging authorities to consider more growth than required to meet local housing need, particularly in locations where there is potential for significant economic growth, such as the Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor.

Support

Representation ID: 23015

Received: 13/03/2020

Respondent: Bidwells

Support, with comments

Whilst there is support, in principle, for the proposed approach to infrastructure, particularly the need for key stakeholders to work collaboratively, the Delivery Statement should make it clear that infrastructure requirements will be proportionate to each
development and based on clear assessments of need. Failure to do this will result in certain developments being financially unviable and, therefore, undeliverable.

Support

Representation ID: 23016

Received: 13/03/2020

Respondent: Bidwells

Support, with comments

The strategic policy is considered to provide a framework to ensure communities developed and infrastructure delivered under the plan will be resilient to the impacts of climate change.

The principles of the policy are, where relevant, all capable of being delivered / supported by the proposed development.

Support

Representation ID: 23017

Received: 13/03/2020

Respondent: Bidwells

Support, with comments

The proposed Settlement Hierarchy and the identification of Hingham as a Key Service Centre is fully supported.

Hingham is a location which has a range of services and amenities to support day to day life, including a primary school, Co-op Food Store, White Hart Pub, library, a doctor’s surgery, alongside a range of employment uses.
Accordingly, the identification of Hingham as a Key Service Centre supports the GNLP’s aspirations of focusing growth in locations with access to jobs and services, whilst supporting a vibrant rural economy.

In addition, the suitability and sustainability of Hingham for growth has been demonstrated through Abel Homes delivery of The Hops, a development of 88 dwellings. The Hops, which was allocated under Policy HIN 1 of the Adopted Development Plan, had a delivery rate of three and a half years (from submission of planning application to completion.).

Therefore, we support the scale of growth (8% of total housing growth) directed to the Key Service Centre. If required, Key Service Centres have the potential to accommodate additional growth if they cannot be accommodated in other locations within the settlement hierarchy.

Support

Representation ID: 23018

Received: 13/03/2020

Respondent: Bidwells

Support, with comments.
For reasons outlined in relation to Question 13, we fully support the identification of Key Service Centres as locations to accommodate additional growth

Support

Representation ID: 23019

Received: 13/03/2020

Respondent: Bidwells

Support.
The proposed review of the plan 5 years after adoption is fully consistent with paragraph 33 of the NPPF. In addition, we agree that, given the joint approach to the preparation of the draft GNLP, the assessment of 5 year land supply should continue to cover all 3 administrative areas.

Support

Representation ID: 23020

Received: 13/03/2020

Respondent: Bidwells

Support, with comments.
The need to support sustainable growth through the provision of infrastructure improvements is, such as schools and health centres, in principle, supported. However, the policy should recognise that infrastructure provision must be proportionate to each development, based on local needs, alongside not undermining the viability of housing delivery.