South Norfolk Village Clusters Housing Allocations Plan (Reg. 19 Pre-submission Draft)

On behalf of the landowner, we continue to support this site in line with our previous representations made in July 2021.

In relation to the specific requirements set out within the drafted policy, we comment as follows:

• 1.87ha of land for 25 dwellings – we agree that this is a much more rational site area that will lead to a logical extension of the existing settlement and will ensure the delivery of a more appropriate density of development.
• Highways works – we continue to agree that the necessary access requirements from Mill Road and offsite highways improvements in the form of appropriate carriageway widening and provision of a 2m wide footway to the recreation ground are necessary to make this development acceptable and provide wider benefits to the village.
• Promotion of 30mph speed limit on Mill Road – we agree with this policy requirement and consider this will provide wider benefits to the village.
• LVIA – We acknowledged in our previous representations that we recognise the particular landscape sensitivities with this site due to its location within the River Valley landscape area and proximity to The Broads, as well as heritage considerations. However, it should be noted that these same sensitivities apply to the entire village. We therefore agree that any planning application will need to be supported by an LVIA. We consider that the increased preferred site area provides additional opportunities to deliver a sensitively designed scheme considering all of the landscape and visual sensitivities.
• Layout and boundary treatments – We recognise and agree that there is a need to sensitively consider the layout and boundary treatment of a future scheme to ensure it respects the site’s location as a transition from the village to the rural area. Again, the increased site area and expected lower density will provide more opportunities for this to be delivered appropriately.
• Residential amenity – We agree that the impact on the residential amenity of existing properties on Mill Road will need to be considered carefully through the detailed design process. We consider that this is not an insurmountable issue and there is ample space within the site to ensure that the impact on existing properties is minimised.

We continue to consider the site to be suitable, available and achievable, and therefore deliverable within the Plan period.