Village Clusters Housing Allocations Plan - Alternative Sites & Focused Changes (Reg. 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 3419

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

There is a County Wildlife Site to the north of the site, whilst it is not understood if this currently benefits from public access (formal or informal), any increased pressure of nearby development should be considered.

FP11 is immediately north of the site and consideration should be given as to whether a crossing point would be required to facilitate access to the wider countryside from the development. It is expected that the development could increase footfall and recreational pressures on both FP11 and FP9.

The Site is immediately adjacent to the settlement boundary but will infill a current open space between existing isolated dwellings, the scheme should be designed in such a way as to be sensitive to this.

Entire loss of the hedgerow and trees to the frontage of the site along Wheel Road would be unacceptable and consideration will need to be given as to what would constitute an acceptable loss for highways access and visibility splays. Any losses would need to be suitably mitigated, likely with mixed native hedgerows.

Comment

Representation ID: 3420

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

The Yare Valley County Wildlife Site is situated to the North of the site, and whilst not immediately adjacent, due to the public access to part of the CWS, it could be assumed that residents would seek out this location. The increased recreational pressures on the CWS should be considered, especially if informal access exists through the wider CWS which may be less monitored.

The Site constitutes an infill between two existing settlement boundaries, and therefore must be designed taking this into consideration.

Roadside trees should be retained to preserve the street scene and landscape of the village.

A tree belt runs through the middle of the site which appears to first show on 1988 aerial imagery, this now appears to be quite mature and substantial in nature and efforts should be made to retain this where possible. There is also extensive boundary vegetation including mature trees which should be retained.

Comment

Representation ID: 3422

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

The site is adjacent to a designated River Valley Landscape area. Being a large extension into the countryside and the current recessive nature of Barford in the landscape - the design, layout and especially boundary treatments of this site should it come forward for development are going to be very important. The site itself however is largely void of existing landscape features and formed of arable land. In the wider vicinity there are a number of County Wildlife sites, and Ancient Woodland (Colton Wood), public access to these sites and potentially increases in recreational pressures should be considered.

Comment

Representation ID: 3423

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

Extensive vegetation to the road frontage should be retained as much as possible when considering access. It will also be important that a landscaped boundary is given to the south-east backing onto the remainder of the field. Development should be designed to be self-contained and not give rise to extended proposals to the south- east. Where boundary vegetation exists this should be retained and enhanced.

Comment

Representation ID: 3424

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

The exiting hedgerows on the northern boundaries should be retained where possible.

Comment

Representation ID: 3425

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

There is a Site of Special Scientific Interest to the east of the site, and County Wildlife Sites to the south-east and south-west of the site. It is also situated within a designated River Valley Landscape. Impacts of new developments on these close lying sites, and its situation within the River Valley should be taken into consideration.

Comment

Representation ID: 3426

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

There is a nearby adjacent pond which may require surveys prior to development. The expansion into the countryside would require careful design to ensure there is no negative impacts on the landscape character of the area. The proposals here would constitute a continued linear development with extensive road frontage which extends considerably away from the village centre.

Comment

Representation ID: 3427

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

This site constitutes a large extension to the existing settlement which will cause a change in the landscape character and setting of the village. It would be beneficial for this to be a landscape led scheme, with key consideration given to the boundary vegetation. The Norfolk Broads are situated to the north, this is an important context in terms of the landscape and visual impacts of the development, as well as considering wider habitats. A public right of way crosses the western end of the site and runs along the entire south-western and southern boundaries. Access along the Public Right of Way must remain at all times, should access be proposed on to the Public Rights of Way discussion should be had with Norfolk County Council Public Rights of Way and Highways team. There is also a pond to the north of the site which may require further surveys before development.

Comment

Representation ID: 3428

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

The trees along Forge Grove, Gillingham should be protected. Taking into account the existing Tree Preservation Order.

Comment

Representation ID: 3429

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

There is a County Wildlife Site to the North-West of the site which has well used public access and informal paths. The site could bring increased pressures to this site. The site is managed by Norwich Fringe, we would advise consultation and discussion with them regarding the potential increased pressures and how the development can work with the Fringe Project.

The site also forms the gateway to the village, so design and boundary treatments will be very important. A landscape led design would be best suited to the development ensuring front frontage properties and designed features to that the development does not back onto the approach into the village. The unmade tracks across The Common at Swardeston should be protected to promote Green Infrastructure.