Joint Core Strategy Public consultation Reg25

1. Executive Summary

1.1 For the past two years the three councils of Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk have been working together with Norfolk County Council as the Greater Norwich Development Partnership (GNDP) to develop long term plans for housing growth and jobs in the area.

1.2 This report sets out proposals for potential inclusion in a plan - called the 'Joint Core Strategy' - that will guide future housing growth in Norwich and the surrounding area. This is motivated by a need to contribute to national house building targets in a sustainable way.

1.3 Overall, the target for growth is to identify sites for at least 47,500 new homes between 2001 and 2026. Significant progress has already been made, with 11,750 homes already built, and planning permission granted for a further 13,850 (as at April 2008). This means that locations for a further 21,900 homes still have to be identified. This report sets out in detail the proposals for doing this, alongside a full appraisal of the infrastructure developments that will be needed to support the new homes. The target for growth in employment is to provide 33,000 new jobs between 2008 and 2026. An employment growth study has been carried out to identify and update the opportunities and interventions required to encourage job growth.

Background

1.4 In November 2007, Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk district councils, together with Norfolk County Council, carried out a 12 week 'issues and options' consultation among residents. A technical consultation followed in August 2008.

1.5 In addition, a number of Evidence Studies have been undertaken and these determine the major infrastructure and sustainability needs facing the area over the planned growth period.

1.6 A favoured option for growth is detailed in this document.

1.7 These proposals are explained in detail throughout this document. The Partnership invites all organisations being consulted to examine these and respond.

Vision

1.8 This document includes the vision for the area. The overarching aim is to build sustainable communities across three districts. The key elements to this include:

• The opportunity to play an active part in community life and be involved in decision making
• Healthier and safer places and a high quality environment
• Access to suitable housing, jobs, facilities and services
• Opportunities for people to learn at all stages of life
• The right infrastructure so people can travel using varied forms of transport.

1.9 A significant element in achieving this will be about getting the locations for new growth right.

Proposed new housing locations

1.10 To deliver the planned housing growth large scale development concentrated in particular locations and a mixture of small scale development, dispersed around the area, is proposed.

1.11 It is proposed that large scale development in the favoured option will be supported by a range of new infrastructure investments, including employment sites, new schools, transport links and health services.

These locations are described in Appendix 0

Development in the Old Catton, Sprowston, Rackheath & Thorpe St Andrew growth triangle is expected to rise to 10,000 homes eventually.

Sites identified for small scale development

1.12 This document contains further detail on the favoured options, and what the main objectives are.