GNLP 2045 Regulation 20 Scoping Consultation

At a glance

GNLP 2045 Regulation 20 Scoping Consultation

Introduction

This section introduces the Greater Norwich Local Plan 2045 and the Scoping Consultation, including:

• Explaining what a Local Plan is and the legal requirements it must meet.
• The reasons why the councils are producing the GNLP 2045 now, including outlining the recent changes in national planning policy.
• What a Scoping Consultation is and how it works.
• An overview of the topic papers prepared to support the Scoping Consultation.
• A timetable outlining the process that will be followed to prepare the GNLP 2045, and further details on future consultations.
• Instructions on how to respond to this Scoping Consultation.
• Appendix 1 – how the local housing need will be established for the GNLP 2045.

Part A – What should the GNLP 2045 include?

A1 Developing the Vision and Objective of the GNLP 2045

This section outlines how the Vision and Objectives of the GNLP 2045 will be defined, including:

• Definition of the Vision and the Objectives.
• Summarised version of the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis based on information from topic papers, baseline data and early engagement.

A2 Indicative Structure and Content of the GNLP 2045

A2.1 The Broad Structure of the GNLP 2045

This section outlines the proposed structure for the GNLP 2045, including:

• The plan being a digital map-based document with measurable outcomes.
• A broad structure of:
  • Growth strategy and settlement hierarchy
  • Site allocations
  • Locally specific policies

A2.2 The Growth Strategy and the Settlement Hierarchy

This section provides an overview of the Growth Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy that will need to be included in the GNLP 2045, including:

• Defining the Growth Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy.
• Outlining the adopted Growth Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy in the adopted GNLP and the delivery related to both to date.
• Outlining the overall housing needs for the adopted GNLP and GNLP 2045 and the reasons why the need has increased.
• Potential approaches to updating the Growth Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy for the GNLP 2045.

A2.3 Site Allocations

This section outlines the approach that will be taken to including Site Allocations in the GNLP 2045. As this is the initial stage of plan-making, no proposed site allocations are included in this consultation.

A2.4 Local Policy Coverage

This section outlines the approach to developing locally specific policies in the GNLP 2045 for issues not addressed by the decision-making policies in the NPPF.

Whilst all consultees are welcome to respond to the questions on Housing, the Economy, Infrastructure and the Environment, please note that these are relatively specific, technical questions which are intended to elicit views on possible local policy approaches for a range of planning issues.

Housing

This section covers the various considerations relating to housing delivery as part of the GNLP 2045, the existing adopted policies and coverage in the NPPF, including:

• Deliverability – five-year housing land supply and challenges to delivery.
• Affordable housing – delivery across the GNLP area and need for evidence.
• Housing mix and specialist needs – older people, disabled peoples, students and other supported housing.
• Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople and existing delivery.
• Self-Build and Custom-Build housing.
• Conversion, exception sites and rural housing.

The Economy

This section covers issues and evidence that relate to the development of the economic strategy for the GNLP 2045, how these relate to the changes in the NPPF and the potential for local policies, including:

• Identifying key drivers for the economy of Greater Norwich, such as:
  • Foundational economy (including culture, construction, retailing etc.)
  • Key growth sectors (including life sciences, clean energy, digital tech etc.)
• Current state of the workforce and the opportunities related to this.
• Diversification and modernisation of the rural economy.
• Potential opportunities for logistics and freight.
• Support for new and existing SMEs and start-ups building on existing successes.
• Opportunities in city and town centres, including the hierarchy of town centres, Norwich city centre as a regional hub, town centres roles in the rural economy and a review of the purpose of the Late-Night Activity Zone.
• Tourism as a key sector and supporting existing and new enterprises.

Infrastructure

This section provides an overview of the current approach to delivery infrastructure and how the delivery of infrastructure will be considered and developed during the preparation of the GNLP 2045, including:

• Funding and delivery sources and how these impact viability and delivery.
• Recent significant improvements relating to roads, cycling, walking and public transport and identification of key issues to be addressed.
• Wastewater constraints related to capacity issues and nutrient neutrality mitigation measures being required for development.
• Transition to low carbon energy sources, improvements to energy grid and changes to Building Regulations to ensure energy efficiency.
• Supporting broadband and mobile rollouts and ensuring coverage across the Greater Norwich area.
• How additional growth will impact the provision of schools, healthcare and other community infrastructure.

The Environment

This section sets out how the natural environment of Greater Norwich will be considered alongside the identified growth needs for the area and the changes within the NPPF, including:

• Promoting water efficiency due to the area being within a water stressed area and internationally protected water environments.
• Avoiding areas of flood risk and ensuring sufficient evidence during the site selection process.
• A strategic approach to nature recovery.
• Linking Green and Blue Infrastructure delivery with climate outcomes and measurable standards.
• Setting standards for various types of outdoor and recreational spaces and creating a network of green spaces.
• Protecting historic assets and utilising design codes and masterplanning to promote high-quality design.
• Integrating landscape protection into wider environmental sustainability and ensuring development considers sensitive townscapes.

A.3 Evidence

This section provides a full list of the proposed evidence studies that will be undertaken to develop the strategy, site allocations and policies in the GNLP 2045. Where appropriate, shared evidence will be pursued with other Norfolk authorities.

Part B – Consulting on Plan-Making

This section sets out how the Greater Norwich authorities intend to engage stakeholders in the preparation of the GNLP 2045. It explains:

• Why there is a need for an engagement strategy, including the new regulatory requirements for local plans.
• The proposed engagement on the GNLP 2045 through each consultation stage of its preparation, including the aims of each stage, the target audiences and engagement methods to be used.
• That engagement will be clear and accessible as well as digital first, whilst also addressing barriers to engagement as appropriate.
• What will happen after each stage of consultation and how the responses received will shape and inform the local plan.

Final question

An opportunity for respondents to comment on anything they consider missing from the Scoping Consultation or to make any further comments.

Glossary of terms

A glossary of the key planning terms used in the Scoping Consultation.

Scoping questions

A full list of the questions included in the Scoping Consultation.