Draft Greater Norwich Local Plan – Part 1 The Strategy

Support

Representation ID: 22852

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Crown Point Estate

Agent: Miss Kate Wood

We welcome the support for improvements to the transport system, but these need to be clarified. We are promoting the Loddon P&R site as a means by which the GNLP can improve P&R provision on the last remaining main route into the city.

We welcome the support for improvements to green infrastructure. We consider that the additional land at WCP should be safeguarded for such improvements, to promote confidence that the proposed allocations for developments in the vicinity will be able to rely on support for investment therein.

Support

Representation ID: 22853

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Crown Point Estate

Agent: Miss Kate Wood

Paragraph 181 of the Draft Plan notes that “The development of a multi-functional green infrastructure network was formalised locally through the Joint Core Strategy in 2011. It is essential that the network continues to be developed into the long-term as green infrastructure aims to link fragmented habitats, allowing the movement of species. It also has other benefits such as reducing flood risk and promoting active travel.”

Policy 3 translates this into a requirement to enhance the Green Infrastructure Network, which “may include the establishment of a new country park or parks”.

We see the additional land at WCP as providing an opportunity to facilitate the required enhancements to the network where required to support development in the area, offering genuine additional space as well as the opportunity to enhance the existing space. Safeguarding the additional land for that purpose will provide confidence to those seeking to provide such space and facilities as SANGS associated with development sites, as well as those wishing to propose a variety of leisure activities in a green context.

Comment

Representation ID: 22854

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Crown Point Estate

Agent: Miss Kate Wood

Policy 4 states that the role of the Park and Ride system will be developed in order to facilitate the move towards sustainable modes of transport and a reduction of the reliance on travel by cars. We await the publication of the Transport for Norwich Strategy and the fourth local transport plan (Norfolk CC). We are promoting the Loddon P&R site on the last remaining route into the City that lacks P&R provision, and we note that the supporting text states the new TfN strategy is "likely" to include improvement to sustainable transport networks including Park and Ride enhancements. The Loddon P&R site provides the opportunity to support this approach, along with the intended shift to electric vehicle use. We agree that as a rural hinterland, a complete shift away from the private car will be difficult, so efforts should be made to make elective electric vehicle usage easier, with infrastructure planned to be in place for public EV charging facilities. P&R is an ideal scenario for this functionality, which can be built in from the start with a new P&R site more easily than retrofitting.

Support

Representation ID: 22855

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Crown Point Estate

Agent: Miss Kate Wood

Green infrastructure. As noted above under Policy 3, additional land at WCP should be safeguarded for extended country park-related development.

Object

Representation ID: 22856

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Crown Point Estate

Agent: Miss Kate Wood

Scale is not defined, but business scale should not simply be defined by numbers of employees. Some businesses are low-key but require more space, such as some B8 uses. Larger scale needs are not always able to be accommodated in new-build development sites, but rely on lower-cost rural sites, as they are priced out of new-build business parks in more central or prominent locations.

In terms of the conversion of rural buildings, we anticipate that the development management policies of each Council will control details of such provision, but it is important in the GNLP that appropriate sites are formally allocated, for example where there are clusters of such buildings that would usefully provide low-cost, low-tech business space. Without allocation, sites will be classed as countryside, where general development management policies would rule against their use for employment. For example, we are promoting Park Farm as an employment allocation, which will ensure that potential occupiers will be confident in the planning process to secure their proposed use.

We are also promoting Octagon Barn for a mixed use site, which will include employment, building upon the current employment use of the converted barn, which is a local destination. Independent businesses such as independent shops, galleries, workshops, garden centres and tea rooms rely on rural locations both for viability and for character. Expanding this existing offer with appropriate new-build will only be achievable if the site is allocated for development, since development management policies would not permit new buildings in the countryside. Space is not always available within the built-up parts of villages, so land at the edge is an appropriate location for such activities that would support the vitality and viability of the village, whilst remaining at a scale that is appropriate to the location.

Strategic growth in the city centre will need to be supported by accessibility, yet a reduction in traffic congestion and improvements in air quality. The P&R facilities will need to cater for these issues. The publication of the P&R review will require further input, but we submit a Transport Technical Note at Appendix A, setting out how the Loddon P&R site could be provided.

Comment

Representation ID: 22857

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Crown Point Estate

Agent: Miss Kate Wood

As noted above under Policy 3, additional land at WCP should be safeguarded for extended country park-related development. This will enable the enhancement of green space and the provision of a variety of leisure activities. Safeguarding the additional land for this purpose will provide confidence in investment in country park-related development, within a positive planning background.

Comment

Representation ID: 22858

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Crown Point Estate

Agent: Miss Kate Wood

As noted above under question 34, we are promoting Octagon Barn for mixed use development including small-scale business / retail use to enhance the use of the site as a local destination. Policy 6 concludes with a stated desire to enhance the environment and economy of villages. However, the Town Centres element of the policy doesn’t distinguish between types of retail use. The hierarchy of defined centres in the policy is appropriate for chain stores and supermarkets, but the retail offer of independents cannot compete with these businesses in high value locations. The policy should make clear the type and/or size of retail uses required to follow a sequential test.

Comment

Representation ID: 22859

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Crown Point Estate

Agent: Miss Kate Wood

As noted under question 36 above, independent retail uses are not clarified or accommodated in the Town Centres element of Policy 6. It should be acknowledged that independent businesses have a vital role to play in the vitality and viability of the rural community, and should be accommodated at or close to the edge of villages from which they can draw employees and customers. Such businesses can become destinations for the wider community, but at low numbers, and tend to be relatively localised. We are promoting the allocation of Octagon Farm on the edge of Poringland (a high order settlement), where the present uses of the converted barn can be built upon with additional development that will support that business through linked trips.

Comment

Representation ID: 22860

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Crown Point Estate

Agent: Miss Kate Wood

The growth of the city centre is supported as a sustainable location for growth. However, this should be matched by accessibility. We are promoting the Loddon P&R site to ensure that all road routes into the city are provided with Park and Ride sites to facilitate sustainable “final mile” journeys into the city, with associated benefits to congestion and air quality in the city centre. Without the support of infrastructure, growth in the city risks not being sustainable.

Support

Representation ID: 22861

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Crown Point Estate

Agent: Miss Kate Wood

We support the allocation of East Norwich and note the intention for sustainable accessibility and traffic restraint, and for links between the city centre and Whitlingham Country Park. The addition of 2,000 additional homes in this location, as well as other uses, will result in significant additional population living and working on the site. This makes it even more important that Park & Ride facilities are located in close proximity, to ensure sustainable access. The pressure from additional population within a high density development, where land is at a premium, may need to be met by SANGS. The additional land at WCP should be safeguarded for this purpose within the Plan.