QUESTION 7a: Do you agree with the proposed allocation of VC DIT1 REV, Land at Thwaite Road and Tunney's Lane, Ditchingham, for up to 45 dwellings on an area of on an area of 2.42ha? Please explain your response.

ACCESS TO THIS SITE IS VIA HAMILTON WAY. THIS IS NOT VIABLE WHEN THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES VIA WAVENEY ROAD AND THWAITE ROAD. ANY PLANNING PERMISSION MUST INCLUDE THESE ALTERNATIVE ROAD ACCESSES. THIS WILL REDUCE TRAFFIC FROM THESE SITES, GOING VIA HAMILTON WAY AND THE SCHOOL AND AVOID VEHICLES HAVING TO DRIVE THROUGH THE VILLAGE OF DITCHINGHAM.

THIS SITE SHOULD BE ENLARGED TO INCLUDE THE PRESENT WHITE AREA ON THE MAP. THIS LAND WILL HAVE NO AGRICULTURAL VALUE AND THE VILLAGE OF DITCHINGHAM HAS THE CAPACITY TO INCREASE HOUSING WITH REASONABLE BUS, SCHOOL, SHOP AND POST OFFICE FACILITIES - SUBJECT TO ACCESS VIA WAVENEY ROAD, THWAITE ROAD AND TUNNEYS LANE.

See attachment for full representation.

See attachments for full representation.

See attachment for full representation.

Ditchingham is well served in terms of services and facilities (with ready access to a wider range in nearby Bungay), and is a sustainable community capable of accommodating more growth without adverse impacts. This is acknowledged through its designation as a Service Village, in both adopted and emerging Development Plans.

We contend that such should be accommodated via the retention of the existing VC DIT1 (35 Dwellings) in conjunction with a second site (SN0345 – site at Loddon Road/Tunneys Lane), for approximately 25 dwellings.

Site reference SN0345 was identified in the Regulation 19, Draft Village Clusters Housing Allocation Plan (VCHAP) as a ‘Reasonable Alternative’ of ‘Shortlisted Sites’. The site assessment concluded that:

“This site is considered [to] suitable for allocation, subject to confirmation of highway suitability, provision of a footway and confirmation that the development of the site would not have an unacceptable impact on the nearby SSSI. The site relates suitably to existing services and facilities, the existing form and character of the village and there is limited impact on the wider landscape due to existing screening."

Work undertaken to date by the prospective developer confirms that development of the SN0345 site can take place without any significant adverse impacts, and that vehicular access, visibility and footpaths can be accommodated (Norfolk CC Highways has been consulted, and confirmed acceptable). Unlike much of the Greater Norwich area – including locations identified to delivery housing via the emerging Local Plan and VCHAP – Ditchingham is located outside of the catchment area of the sites identified by Natural England. Development here is not therefore likely to have a significant effect on the conservation objectives either alone or in combination with other projects; consequently, there is no requirement for additional information to be submitted to further assess the effects. And when made in the form of an application, can - with regard to nutrient neutrality - be safely determined with regards the Conservation of Species Habitats Regulations 2017 (as amended). In the current circumstances, therefore, such gives added weight to the sustainability of allocating two such sites here, to deliver much-needed housing (against a context of very low housing deliver over the past two years across much of Greater Norwich and Norfolk).

Site SN0345 is thus available, suitable, and deliverable in the short term. Requisite work to support a pending application has been undertaken by the promoter and prospective developer, Beauly Homes.

Note: site SN0345 is the subject of a pre-application enquiry to the Council, made by Beauly Homes.

The allocation of two, small/medium-sized sites will provide choice, variety, and flexibility in bringing forward alternative sites in a sustainable settlement.

We note that “SN4020, Land west of Old Yarmouth Road” and “VC DIT1 REV, Land at Thwaite Road and Tunney’s Lane” are both located in the catchment of the Ditchingham Water Recycling Centre (WRC). Current data shows Ditchingham WRC to be operating at close to its permitted dry weather flow (DWF) capacity, with no plans currently in place for Anglian Water to increase the available headroom to accommodate further growth in this location. While there may be some room for limited growth, the proposed allocations and resulting increase in foul water flows pose the potential risk of harm to the waterbody receiving treated effluent from Ditchingham WRC.

We therefore recommend including within policies SN4020 and VC DIT1 REV the requirement for developers to liaise with Anglian Water and submit a Drainage Strategy as part of any future applications, demonstrating that flows from the development can be accommodated within the permitted capacity and without causing increased risk of deterioration to the status of the waterbody. The Drainage Strategy should also demonstrate that the development will not compromise the Local Planning Authority’s obligations under the Water Framework Directive and the National Planning Policy Framework’s requirement to have due regard to the River Basin Management Plan.