Draft Local Plan-Part 2 Site Allocations

The would form a better alternative to the current proposed allocation by virtue of its relationship with the main built form of the village, proximity to bus stops, and opportunity to improve the permeability and connectivity of the village. Enhancements would be delivered to ensure suitable safe access could be provided to the site for vehicles and pedestrians alike, as a result it is considered that safe access to school could be provided for children.

Whilst the overall strategy for village clusters contained in Policy 7.4 is supported, we believe that GNLP2021 and the additional land identified should be included as part of the delivery of growth in this part of Greater Norwich. The sites would offer an opportunity to deliver additional housing growth in a highly sustainable area. In particular the land between Meadow Farm Lane and Coltishall Lane is well related to the built form of the village and would form a logical extension to the built form.

The classification of this site is a reasonable alternative is supported. However, It is sought to promote part of this larger site for a small residential development of circa. 9 dwellings, to be considered as part of the review into settlement boundaries. This would offer the opportunity to round off development in this part of Taverham and with the appropriate design, would mark the entrance into Taverham along Ringland Road. We believe this rounding-off of the development currently under construction by an extension to the development boundary at this point for the village.

The site provides an opportunity to provide a sustainable employment area that would compliment the existing industrial estate to the east. It would provide a range of units to encourage start-up business as well as the opportunity for existing business to move to larger premises. The site is situated within the built-up area of Hellesdon and within easy reach of residential, commercial and retail uses. Development would provide community benefits through a community woodland and extension to the burial ground. Therefore representing a sustainable form of development that can fit into the existing fabric of the Parish.

We object to the site being considered as a 'Reasonable Alternative'. It is not considered that continuing to ‘bolt-on’ development to existing large settlements constitutes sustainable development. Rather, such housing estates often result in higher densities and lower quality, with little in the way of placemaking and identikit housing, and urban sprawl which reduces ‘walkability’. It is considered that a new settlement is a suitable option now. Traditional strategic development in Greater Norwich has placed pressure on existing infrastructure and communities, resulting in the need for significant investment in upgrades in order to provide power, waste water treatment and other social infrastructure. The programme of works required to facilitate a number of strategic and non-strategic proposed and existing allocations is significant, requires significant investment and will, and already has, detrimentally impacted upon the timely delivery of development.
Provision of a new settlement provides the opportunity to deliver an infrastructure-led community, properly planned to meet the needs of future residents. Clarion have the ability and experience to deliver a new settlement at Honingham Thorpe which would overcome the issues and challenges of traditional housing development. As such, the proposed development could come forward quickly and achieve a significant delivery rate throughout, with a realistic prospect that the entire community could be delivered within the Plan period.
The proposed new settlement Honingham Thorpe would offer the opportunity to provide housing in a holistic and sustainable way in order to create a vibrant and resilient community and support the move to a post-carbon economy.

please find below and attached details in addition to site submissions GNLP0467 – land off North Walsham Road, Crostwick/Spixworth.

The current GNLP consultation includes a call for additional sites in Village Cluster locations in both Broadland and South Norfolk. The draft GNLP Strategy defines this as a site for a minimum for 12 units (approx.0.5 hectares) up to 1.0 hectare (although sites of up to 25 are also considered) but in exceptional circumstances the GNLP may consider larger sites where these address particular local issues or bring particular benefits to a local community.

The landowner recognises that the Spixworth/Crostwick cluster could accommodate development of 20-50 additional homes, and that there are currently no new allocations proposed or carried forward but further development is not ruled out.

This revision to GNLP0467 is designed to bring particular benefits to the local community to meet the exceptional circumstance test by the provision of significant mature open space delivering a substantial net biodiversity gain from development.

An area of Spixworth Marsh shaded green on the plan attached is proposed to be transferred to the Parish should the site be developed which will provide a significant increase in public open space, and the ability for the Parish to off set its carbon footprint through sequestration and environmental gain. It also provides the ability to deliver forest school or similar to improve schooling capacity and educational benefits, as well as natural capital ownership in the community.

In total 27.69 acres of Marsh, woodland and grassland (with significant Natural Capital value) and 15.50 acres of gross development land (excluding the land linking the two areas) is proposed.

We note that GNLP0467 as currently proposed is considered an unreasonable site being the only site promoted in the cluster. The direct vehicular access onto the B1150 is considered to lead to a form of development which is disconnected from the rest of the village. This revision seeks to address the disconnect issue by linking the development around the north and eastern side of the settlement by providing significant open space. However, access from the B1150 remains necessary, and practicable.

Whilst the site is larger than is being sought, with up to 100 dwellings in total, the benefits to the community available through this revision are deemed to outweigh the drawbacks and as such deliver significant local benefits and therefore, worthy of allocation.