Draft Greater Norwich Local Plan – Part 1 The Strategy

In accordance with PPG requirements, space standards should only be introduced where there is robust evidence to demonstrate that they are required. The evidence referenced within the draft Plan indicates that, in fact, 75% of homes in Greater Norwich were delivered to the necessary standards between 2016-2018, which calls into question the need for a policy requiring strict adherence. Notwithstanding the above, the policy should include flexibility in its wording to allow delivery of homes that are below the space standards, where they are well-designed and meet specific needs.

The proposal to require all developments of 40+ dwellings to provide 5% of plots as serviced self/custom build plots is considered inappropriate and unjustified. The supporting text indicates that at present there are 113 people on the Self Build Register in the Greater Norwich Area. The proposed policy will result in a level of supply which significantly exceeds the demand. Furthermore, particularly for the larger sites, it will have a significant impact on continuity in delivery, which is critical for both the developers and for the Councils in ensuring they are able to maintain a 5-year land supply.
In addition, it may make it difficult to achieve a well-integrated development from a design perspective.
Self/Custom Build plots should be secured on a site-by-site basis, dependent on local need at the time of the development, or alternatively an exception site approach could be taken to stimulate supply.

The Growth Triangle continues to be a key focus of housing growth, and the retention of the Growth Triangle Area Action Plan and the allocations contained therein is strongly supported. The area is highly sustainable, and will deliver a significant proportion of new economic growth over the Plan period. Sites such as GT13: Norwich Rugby Club, have already been shown, through their allocation in the Area Action Plan to be sustainable and suitable locations for housing growth, and this remains the case.

The timing of the proposed CIL Review is such that the Councils must acknowledge that the outcome may have significant implications for viability.

We wish to re-confirm the deliverability of site GT13 (Norwich Rugby Club). Its allocation in the Growth Triangle Area Action Plan confirms that it is an entirely suitable and sustainable location for growth, and will deliver a significant quantum of the required housing growth. Consent has been secured for the relocation of the Rugby Club (South Norfolk Council reference number 2018/1830) and works to implement this consent are underway. Kier Living have been brought on board to deliver the housing, once the relocation of the Rugby Club is completed, which will be well within the extended Plan period.