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

Comment

Representation ID: 3431

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

Landscape/Townscape impacts would need to be considered, as the site has the potential to drastically change the landscape context of the village. It could give rise to further infill development resulting in no clear green spaces between residential areas.

Design of the site needs to be sensitively planned to ensure open space is retained, landscape led approach would be best. Retention of existing hedgerow on south-eastern boundary of site, adjacent to Bunwell Road, and retention of existing tree on north-west boundary of site, connecting Bunwell Rd to Queen’s Street.

Comment

Representation ID: 3432

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

There is an extensive network of PRoW to the south-east of the site, increased pressures on footpath network to be considered. Importantly a crossing point should be considered to allow access to the footpath network. There are hedgerows running along the existing access drive which runs through the middle of the site, worth noting these as they are likely to be lost to facilitate development and we'd require suitable replacements. Development is very much into the countryside, so boundary treatments important to minimise visual and landscape impacts. Mature tree in the south-east corner of the road frontage should be retained and protected.

Comment

Representation ID: 3434

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

The site is in a rural location and any development has the potential to cause Landscape and Visual Impacts. Boundary treatments to south and west particularly to assimilate the development into the countryside should be considered, as should street frontage important as this is the gateway into the village.

Comment

Representation ID: 3436

Received: 24/01/2024

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Natural Environment Team

All sites will require Landscape Assessment/LVIA to inform the scale, form and density of the development, as well as establishing any protection and enhancement of existing landscape features/boundary vegetation.

Where trees are present on site, or immediately adjacent to sites, appropriate Arboriculture surveys will be needed to ascertain any trees that require protection and to establish working arrangements should there be risk of damage to trees or roots.

Where sites are adjacent to Public Rights of Way the right of way should remain unobstructed at all times and should any closure or diversion be required suitable consultation with the Highways Authority will be required. If a site is looking to create access directly onto a public right of way this should also be in consultation with the Highways Authority. Any proposals of new Public Rights of Way will need to beagreed and suitable constructed and legally registered through creation orders.

All sites may require Ecological surveys which should be agreed in discussion with a suitably qualified ecologist.