Policy GNLP5021

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Object

Greater Norwich Local Plan Gypsy and Traveller Sites Focused Consultation

Representation ID: 24795

Received: 03/03/2023

Respondent: Regional & City Airports Limited on behalf of Norwich Airport Limited

Representation Summary:

Norwich Airport Limited (NAL) does not object to the principle of creation or extension of gypsy and traveller sites and indeed encourages such creation and expansion to provide much needed facilities for a growing portion of society. However, it recognises that such facilities must be located in positions that not only give sufficient access to existing amenities, roads, schools etc but also provide sufficient protection to the occupants of such sites from adverse conditions and impacts in that location.

The proposed expansion of site GNLP5021 at Holt Road, Horsford will serve to increase the exposure of the occupiers to repeated adverse noise intrusion from departing/arriving offshore helicopter traffic which is, at that point, low flying over the site being close to the runway threshold.

Norwich Airport promotes the routing of helicopters serving the Southern North Sea Gas Rigs away from larger and mid sized residential communities as far as is possible. At the western end of the Airport Runway09, helicopters are immediately routed northwards, or approach from the north, to avoid the neighbouring communities of Hellesdon to the southwest, Drayton and Taverham to the west and Horsford to the northwest in sofar as this is possible. This takes the rising or descending helicopters directly above the proposed gypsy and traveller site at relatively low level. To avoid adversely affecting any increased number of residents in these conurbations to a greater extent than at present, it is not reasonable to divert the routings further in order to improve matters above Holt Road Horsford at this point.

Norwich Airport Strategic Mapping undertaken in 2021 indicates that the Long term weighted average noise levels in the vicinity of the site are around 50-54dB Lden which, although below thresholds for active noise measures to be introduced, will undoubtedly give rise to annoyance and intrusion for residents due to the nature of helicopter noise itself and the longer exposure due to slower moving aircraft.

There is a well catalogued history of noise complaint from similar over-flying of mobile homes by helicopters at Stratton Strawless to the north of the airport. This has been recognised in no small part to be exacerbated by the design of the mobile homes and their inability to sufficiently mitigate against noise of this nature. It is likely that the mobile homes of the gypsy and traveller communities utilising the site at Holt Road Horsford would suffer in similar fashion from poorer acoustic performance, giving rise to disturbance from early morning, 06.30 start times, to late evenings in summer, 21.00 finish times.

This site, due to its proximity to relatively lower flying and slower moving helicopters with their attendant noise impacts is not therefore suitable for gypsy and traveller pitches given the poor acoustic performance of mobile homes. No insertion of acoustic fencing will compensate for the impacts, unlike the mitigation of road noise , which is addressed in the site assessment document.

Norwich Airport takes the wellbeing of its neighbouring communities very seriously and recognises the adverse impacts that its normal opertaions will undoubtedly have upon this particular location, with the anticipated quality and acoustic limitations of the accommodation most likely to be sited here. It therefore objects to the allocation of this site as intended so as to avoid causing disturbance to likely future residents and giving rise to future conflict over a pre-existing impact upon this particular location.

Full text:

Norwich Airport Limited (NAL) does not object to the principle of creation or extension of gypsy and traveller sites and indeed encourages such creation and expansion to provide much needed facilities for a growing portion of society. However, it recognises that such facilities must be located in positions that not only give sufficient access to existing amenities, roads, schools etc but also provide sufficient protection to the occupants of such sites from adverse conditions and impacts in that location.

The proposed expansion of site GNLP5021 at Holt Road, Horsford will serve to increase the exposure of the occupiers to repeated adverse noise intrusion from departing/arriving offshore helicopter traffic which is, at that point, low flying over the site being close to the runway threshold.

Norwich Airport promotes the routing of helicopters serving the Southern North Sea Gas Rigs away from larger and mid sized residential communities as far as is possible. At the western end of the Airport Runway09, helicopters are immediately routed northwards, or approach from the north, to avoid the neighbouring communities of Hellesdon to the southwest, Drayton and Taverham to the west and Horsford to the northwest in sofar as this is possible. This takes the rising or descending helicopters directly above the proposed gypsy and traveller site at relatively low level. To avoid adversely affecting any increased number of residents in these conurbations to a greater extent than at present, it is not reasonable to divert the routings further in order to improve matters above Holt Road Horsford at this point.

Norwich Airport Strategic Mapping undertaken in 2021 indicates that the Long term weighted average noise levels in the vicinity of the site are around 50-54dB Lden which, although below thresholds for active noise measures to be introduced, will undoubtedly give rise to annoyance and intrusion for residents due to the nature of helicopter noise itself and the longer exposure due to slower moving aircraft.

There is a well catalogued history of noise complaint from similar over-flying of mobile homes by helicopters at Stratton Strawless to the north of the airport. This has been recognised in no small part to be exacerbated by the design of the mobile homes and their inability to sufficiently mitigate against noise of this nature. It is likely that the mobile homes of the gypsy and traveller communities utilising the site at Holt Road Horsford would suffer in similar fashion from poorer acoustic performance, giving rise to disturbance from early morning, 06.30 start times, to late evenings in summer, 21.00 finish times.

This site, due to its proximity to relatively lower flying and slower moving helicopters with their attendant noise impacts is not therefore suitable for gypsy and traveller pitches given the poor acoustic performance of mobile homes. No insertion of acoustic fencing will compensate for the impacts, unlike the mitigation of road noise , which is addressed in the site assessment document.

Norwich Airport takes the wellbeing of its neighbouring communities very seriously and recognises the adverse impacts that its normal opertaions will undoubtedly have upon this particular location, with the anticipated quality and acoustic limitations of the accommodation most likely to be sited here. It therefore objects to the allocation of this site as intended so as to avoid causing disturbance to likely future residents and giving rise to future conflict over a pre-existing impact upon this particular location.

Comment

Greater Norwich Local Plan Gypsy and Traveller Sites Focused Consultation

Representation ID: 24933

Received: 08/03/2023

Respondent: Environment Agency (Eastern Region)

Representation Summary:

GNLP5014, GNLP5019, GNLP5020, GNLP5021 & GNLP5024
Foul Drainage
This site does not appear to have access to mains drainage. Therefore, private means of foul drainage may be necessary. We would therefore suggest that the constraints analysis for ‘utlilities infrastructure’ is updated from green to amber.
Government guidance contained within the National Planning Practice Guidance (Water supply, wastewater and water quality – considerations for planning applications, paragraph 020) sets out a hierarchy of drainage options that must be considered and discounted in the following order which must be followed at application stage:
1. Connection to the public sewer
2. Package sewage treatment plant (adopted in due course by the sewerage company or owned and operated under a new appointment or variation)
3. Septic Tank
Foul drainage should be connected to the main sewer. Where this is not possible, under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 any discharge of sewage or trade effluent made to either surface water or groundwater will need to be registered as an exempt discharge activity or hold a permit issued by the Environment Agency, addition to planning permission. This applies to any discharge to inland freshwaters, coastal waters or relevant territorial waters.
Planning and permitting are separate regimes so we would highlight that should this site be brought forward that there is no guarantee of the granting of an Environmental Permit. We would therefore recommend applicants contact us as soon as possible regarding the application for the relevant permits. Upon receipt of a correctly filled in application form we will carry out an assessment.
Domestic effluent discharged from a treatment plant/septic tank at 2 cubic metres or less to ground or 5 cubic metres or less to surface water in any 24 hour period must comply with General Binding Rules provided that no public foul sewer is available to serve the development and that the site is not within a Groundwater Source Protection Zone.
A soakaway used to serve a non-mains drainage system must be sited no less than 10 metres from the nearest watercourse, not less than 10 metres from any other foul soakaway and not less than 50 metres from the nearest potable water supply, spring or borehole.
Where the proposed development involves the connection of foul drainage to an existing non-mains drainage system, the applicant should ensure that it is in a good state of repair, regularly de-sludged and of sufficient capacity to deal with any potential increase in flow and loading which may occur as a result of the development.
Where the existing non-mains drainage system is covered by a permit to discharge then an application to vary the permit will need to be made to reflect the increase in volume being discharged. It can take up to 13 weeks before we decide whether to vary a permit.

Full text:

Water Resources East Anglia is identified as an area of serious water stress. We strongly recommend that you require any new residential developments (not only for this consultation) are constructed to meet the optional higher water efficiency standard of 110 litres/person/day, as per Requirement G2 in Part G of the Building Regulations 2010.
GNLP5005 & GNLP5023
Foul Drainage Capacity
There is limited capacity at Wymondham Water Recycling Centre. The development is however small, but we would recommend that the constraints analysis is updated from green to amber for utilities capacity for this site.
Flood Risk/Permitting
This allocation borders the River Bays which is designated as a main river. Please note that a Flood Risk Activity Permit will be required for any development within 8m of this river. There are also Environment Agency maintained assets bordering this river (high ground) and this will most likely be taken into account in any permit application. We would require a strip of land to be left close to the river to allow access and avoid compromising the defences.
Contamination
In relation to contamination, this site resides in Source Protection Zone 3 (further information on SPZs can be found here Groundwater source protection zones (SPZs) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) and is also on a principal aquifer. The site also overlies a historic landfill (Stayground Lane).
This would therefore trigger a consultation with us at the planning application stage. We would expect to see contaminated land assessments submitted as part of the application.
We have provided 2 consultation responses to planning applications on this site (under reference AE/2004/014191/06 and AE/2021/126063/01). The latter was South Norfolk DC application which can be found on their website under reference 2021/0607. You will see a desk study has already been produced. We would recommend taking a look at the outputs of this alongside our 2021 response.
In terms of Environment Agency comments in relation to contaminated land, we provide comments when sites have a ‘previously contaminative use’ as defined by the DoE Industry Profiles. A full list can be found here DoE Industry Profiles (claire.co.uk). We consider Waste disposal/treatment sites to be High Polluting Potential Previous Uses. I note that the site is also on a historic landfill sites and the Wymondham site resides within source protection zone 3. We would therefore expect to see contaminated land risk assessments submitted should the sites be brought forward. We are pleased to see that this is referenced as part of the site assessments for these sites. Any application should provide proportionate but sufficient site investigation information (a risk assessment) prepared by a competent person to determine the existence or otherwise of contamination, its nature and extent, the risks it may pose and to whom/what (the ‘receptors’) so that these risks can be assessed and satisfactorily reduced to an acceptable level. The National Quality Mark Scheme (NQMS) accredits competent persons with regard to assessing and reporting land contamination issues.
As with nearly all sites affected by contamination, most land contamination issues are surmountable with sufficient assessment and/or remediation (and as such, costs) if required. On this basis we would not rule out any development categorically on land contamination grounds at this stage. Whether or not it is economically viable however would be based on any risk assessments and cost benefit determination by any such developer.
Our main interest is when there is the breaking of ground. If the application is for the siting of caravans on this land it is likely to be of less concern to us. We would likely request that there should not be any piling or if necessary that a piling risk assessment is undertaken as piling can mobilise contaminants. We are also sharing the below SuDS informative which contains some useful guidance for these sites.
Advice to LPA on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) informative
1. Infiltration sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) such as soakaways, unsealed porous pavement systems or infiltration basins shall only be used where it can be demonstrated that they will not pose a risk to the water environment.
2. Infiltration SuDS have the potential to provide mobilise pollutants and must not be constructed in contaminated ground. They would only be acceptable if a site investigation showed the presence of no significant contamination.
3. Only clean water from roofs can be directly discharged to any soakaway or watercourse. Systems for the discharge of surface water from associated hard-standing, roads and impermeable vehicle parking areas shall incorporate appropriate pollution prevention measures and a suitable number of SuDS treatment train components appropriate to the environmental sensitivity of the receiving waters.
4. The maximum acceptable depth for infiltration SuDS is 2.0 m below ground level, with a minimum of 1.2 m clearance between the base of infiltration SuDS and peak seasonal groundwater levels.
5. Deep bore and other deep soakaway systems are not appropriate in areas where groundwater constitutes a significant resource (that is where aquifer yield may support or already supports abstraction).
6. SuDS should be constructed in line with good practice and guidance documents which include the SuDS Manual (CIRIA C753, 2015), Guidance on the Construction of SuDS C768 and the Susdrain website. For further information on our requirements with regard to SuDS see our Groundwater protection position statements (2018), in particular Position Statements G1 and G9 – G13 available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/groundwater-protection-position-statements
We recommend that developers should
1) Refer to our ‘Groundwater Protection’ website;
2) Refer to our CL:AIRE Water and Land Library (WALL) and the CLR11 risk management framework provided in https://www.gov.uk/guidance/land-contamination-how-to-manage-the-risks when dealing with land affected by contamination, and also includes the Guiding Principles for Land Contamination for the type of information that we require in order to assess risks to controlled waters from the site. The Local Authority can advise on risk to other receptors, for example human health;
3) Refer to our Land Contamination Technical Guidance;
4) Refer to ‘Position Statement on the Definition of Waste: Development Industry Code of Practice’;
5) Refer to British Standards BS 5930:1999 A2:2010 Code of practice for site investigations and BS10175:2011 A1: 2013 Investigation of potentially contaminated sites – code of practice
6) Refer to our ‘Piling and Penetrative Ground Improvement Methods on Land Affected by Contamination’ National Groundwater & Contaminated Land Centre Project NC/99/73. The selected method, including environmental mitigation measures, should be presented in a ‘Foundation Works Risk Assessment Report’, guidance on producing this can be found in Table 3 of ‘Piling Into Contaminated Sites’;
7) Refer to our ‘Good Practice for Decommissioning Boreholes and Wells’.
8) Refer to our ‘Dewatering building sites and other excavations: environmental permits’ guidance when temporary dewatering is proposed
Waste Management Licences
Waste Management Licence 70519 is located on site. We would expect this to be surrendered as appropriate should waste operations cease.
GNLP5014, GNLP5019, GNLP5020, GNLP5021 & GNLP5024
Foul Drainage
This site does not appear to have access to mains drainage. Therefore, private means of foul drainage may be necessary. We would therefore suggest that the constraints analysis for ‘utlilities infrastructure’ is updated from green to amber.
Government guidance contained within the National Planning Practice Guidance (Water supply, wastewater and water quality – considerations for planning applications, paragraph 020) sets out a hierarchy of drainage options that must be considered and discounted in the following order which must be followed at application stage:
1. Connection to the public sewer
2. Package sewage treatment plant (adopted in due course by the sewerage company or owned and operated under a new appointment or variation)
3. Septic Tank
Foul drainage should be connected to the main sewer. Where this is not possible, under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 any discharge of sewage or trade effluent made to either surface water or groundwater will need to be registered as an exempt discharge activity or hold a permit issued by the Environment Agency, addition to planning permission. This applies to any discharge to inland freshwaters, coastal waters or relevant territorial waters.
Planning and permitting are separate regimes so we would highlight that should this site be brought forward that there is no guarantee of the granting of an Environmental Permit. We would therefore recommend applicants contact us as soon as possible regarding the application for the relevant permits. Upon receipt of a correctly filled in application form we will carry out an assessment.
Domestic effluent discharged from a treatment plant/septic tank at 2 cubic metres or less to ground or 5 cubic metres or less to surface water in any 24 hour period must comply with General Binding Rules provided that no public foul sewer is available to serve the development and that the site is not within a Groundwater Source Protection Zone.
A soakaway used to serve a non-mains drainage system must be sited no less than 10 metres from the nearest watercourse, not less than 10 metres from any other foul soakaway and not less than 50 metres from the nearest potable water supply, spring or borehole.
Where the proposed development involves the connection of foul drainage to an existing non-mains drainage system, the applicant should ensure that it is in a good state of repair, regularly de-sludged and of sufficient capacity to deal with any potential increase in flow and loading which may occur as a result of the development.
Where the existing non-mains drainage system is covered by a permit to discharge then an application to vary the permit will need to be made to reflect the increase in volume being discharged. It can take up to 13 weeks before we decide whether to vary a permit.
We trust this advice is useful.

Comment

Greater Norwich Local Plan Gypsy and Traveller Sites Focused Consultation

Representation ID: 24980

Received: 14/03/2023

Respondent: Cllr Dave Thomas

Representation Summary:

***Comment on behalf of a resident who wishes to remain anonymous***
Main concerns were for expansion of that particular site and the effect it could have on that section of the Holt Rd which has already problems with speeding cars and rubbish, which is a shame as it is popular with dog walkers, cyclists and runners. The road has been litter picked again today by Volunteers. The cut-through the Cromer Rd with its remnants of old hedges and oak trees with one particular older specimen is often full of bottles and food wrappers.

Full text:

***Comment on behalf of a resident who wishes to remain anonymous***
Main concerns were for expansion of that particular site and the effect it could have on that section of the Holt Rd which has already problems with speeding cars and rubbish, which is a shame as it is popular with dog walkers, cyclists and runners. The road has been litter picked again today by Volunteers. The cut-through the Cromer Rd with its remnants of old hedges and oak trees with one particular older specimen is often full of bottles and food wrappers.

Comment

Greater Norwich Local Plan Gypsy and Traveller Sites Focused Consultation

Representation ID: 24994

Received: 09/03/2023

Respondent: Anglian Water Services Ltd

Representation Summary:

POLICY GNLP5021 LAND OFF HOLT ROAD, HORSFORD
3.10. The site is located within reasonable proximity to connect to our water supply network, but due to its rural location, it is not within reasonable distance of our water recycling network catchments.
3.11. There is a mains water pipe to the northern boundary of the site. We will require sufficient stand-off distances around the water main or diversion at the developers' cost and to the satisfaction of Anglian Water. Further information on the location of our assets can be obtained via utilities.digdat.co.uk

Full text:

1. Anglian Water
1.1. Anglian Water is the water and water recycling provider for over 6 million customers in the east of England. Our operational area spans between the Humber and Thames estuaries and includes around a fifth of the English coastline. The region is the driest in the UK and the lowest lying, with a quarter of our area below sea level. This makes it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change including heightened risks of both drought and flooding, including inundation by the sea.
1.2. Anglian Water has amended its Articles of Association to legally enshrine public interest within the constitutional make up of our business – this is our pledge to deliver wider benefits to society, above and beyond the provision of clean, fresh drinking water and effective treatment of used water. Our Purpose is to bring environmental and social prosperity to the region we serve through our commitment to Love Every Drop.
2. Anglian Water and Local Plans 2.1. Anglian Water is is the statutory water and sewerage undertaker for the Greater Norwich Local Plan (GNLP) area and a statutory consultee under The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. Anglian Water wants to proactively engage with the local plan process to ensure the plan delivers benefits for residents and visitors to the area, and in doing so protect the environment and water resources. As a purpose-led company, we are committed to seeking positive environmental and social outcomes for our region.
3. Commentary on the GNLP Gypsy & Traveller Sites Focused Consultation
3.1. Anglian Water has contributed to the utilities assessment of the proposed Gypsy and Traveller sites regarding connections to our water supply and water recycling networks and any identified encroachment issues on our assets/network.
3.2. We recognise the wider policy considerations that inform the selection of proposed sites within this consultation. The ability to connect to our networks where sites are adjacent to larger settlements that are serviced by a water recycling centre (WRC) means there are more sustainable and resilient options to treating wastewater arising from Gypsy and Traveller sites. Many of the sites are in rural locations or not closely related to our WRC catchments and therefore are likely to be reliant on non-mains sewerage solutions such as private package treatment plans. A joint advice note by Anglian Water and the Environment Agency in relation to non-mains sewerage options can be found on our website1.
1 https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/contentassets/ff314e5a2ec1452387d7aa04f6519c33/2020-11-10-aw-ea-non-mains-sewerage-advice-note---final.pdf
09.03.2023
2
POLICY GNLP5004 LAND OFF BUXTON ROAD, EASTGATE, CAWSTON
3.3. Anglian Water notes the site is located close to existing development within the settlement, and therefore it is within a reasonable distance to connect to our water supply and water recycling networks.
POLICY GNLP5005 LAND AT STRAYGROUND LANE WYMONDHAM RECYCLING CENTRE, WYMONDHAM
3.4. As referenced as part of the initial assessment, this site is within reasonable proximity to connect to our water supply network, but it is located outside the Wymondham water recycling catchment.
POLICY GNLP5009 LAND OFF HOCKERING LANE, BAWBURGH
3.5. Anglian Water notes the site is located close to existing development within the settlement, and within a reasonable distance to connect to our water supply and water recycling networks.
POLICY GNLP5014 A47 NORTH BURLINGHAM JUNCTION
3.6. The site is located within reasonable proximity to connect to our water supply network, but due to its rural location, it is not within reasonable distance of our water recycling network catchments.
3.7. The A47 road improvement scheme will require the diversion of our assets at this location, and this should be a consideration for future connections.
POLICY GNLP5019 WOODLAND STABLE, SHORTTHORN ROAD, STRATTON STRAWLESS
3.8. The site is located within reasonable proximity to connect to our water supply network, and is adjacent to the Aylsham water recycling catchment, although this part of the network operates as a vacuum sewer system which can take up to 24 months for a connection due to the requirements to assess the capacity of the network. We would suggest that any policy should include a requirement for early engagement with Anglian Water regarding connection to our water recycling network.
POLICY GNLP5020 ROMANY MEADOW, THE TURNPIKE, CARLETON RODE
3.9. The site is located within reasonable proximity to connect to our water supply network, but due to its rural location, it is not within reasonable distance of our water recycling network catchments.
POLICY GNLP5021 LAND OFF HOLT ROAD, HORSFORD
3.10. The site is located within reasonable proximity to connect to our water supply network, but due to its rural location, it is not within reasonable distance of our water recycling network catchments.
3.11. There is a mains water pipe to the northern boundary of the site. We will require sufficient stand-off distances around the water main or diversion at the developers' cost and to the satisfaction of Anglian Water. Further information on the location of our assets can be obtained via utilities.digdat.co.uk
09.03.2023
3
POLICY GNLP5022 LAND OFF REEPHAM ROAD, THE OAKS, FOULSHAM
3.12. The site is located within reasonable proximity to connect to our water supply network, but due to its rural location, it is not within reasonable distance of our water recycling network catchments.
POLICY GNLP5023 LAND OFF STRAYGROUND LANE, WYMONDHAM
3.13. The site is located within reasonable proximity to connect to our water supply network, but due to its rural location, it is not within reasonable distance of our water recycling network catchments.
POLICY GNLP5024 UPGATE STREET, CARLETON RODE
3.14. This site does not appear to be in close proximity to a water supply connection or our water recycling network. As the neighbouring site is occupied and was granted planning permission in 2010, there is an assumption that a water supply is available and sewerage treatment is confirmed as a package treatment plant through the documents submitted with the planning application.
Reasonable Alternative
POLICY GNLP5013 KETTERINGHAM DEPOT LAND WEST OF STATION LANE, KETTERINGHAM
3.15. As a reasonable alternative site, Anglian Water notes that the site is located within reasonable proximity to connect to our water supply network, but it is not within reasonable distance of our water recycling network catchments.
Unreasonable Alternatives
VCHAP SITE 1 AND SITE 2, MIDDLE ROAD, DENTON
3.16. Anglian Water notes the constraints identified regarding these sites and reasons why they have not been brought forward. In terms of access to our water supply and water recycling networks we can state that these sites are located within reasonable proximity to connect to our water supply network, but due to the rural location of these sites, they are not within reasonable distance to connect to our water recycling network catchments.
4. Conclusion
4.1. Anglian Water has assessed the potential to access our water supply and water recycling networks for the proposed Gypsy and Traveller Sites and identified where there are policy requirements regarding connections to our network or to ensure sufficient measures are in place to protect our assets within or adjacent to the proposed sites.

Object

Greater Norwich Local Plan Gypsy and Traveller Sites Focused Consultation

Representation ID: 25018

Received: 15/03/2023

Respondent: Miss Sarah Dugdell

Representation Summary:

Is this remote site a preferred option for the travelling community with just 6 plots? What guarantees will be in place to ensure that no more than 6 groups live there? Who's paying the cost for the upkeep of this site: The travelling community/council should. If the "travelling community" are just that, why will there be a permanent site? I am not prejudice against any group of people but the travelling community's reputation goes before them. Should this go ahead, I expect a watertight guarantee from the council that there will be NO detrimental effect to the existing local community.

Full text:

Is this remote site a preferred option for the travelling community with just 6 plots? What guarantees will be in place to ensure that no more than 6 groups live there? Who's paying the cost for the upkeep of this site: The travelling community/council should. If the "travelling community" are just that, why will there be a permanent site? I am not prejudice against any group of people but the travelling community's reputation goes before them. Should this go ahead, I expect a watertight guarantee from the council that there will be NO detrimental effect to the existing local community.

Comment

Greater Norwich Local Plan Gypsy and Traveller Sites Focused Consultation

Representation ID: 25063

Received: 13/03/2023

Respondent: Historic England

Representation Summary:

No comments

Full text:

SUMMARY
Whilst we consider many aspects of the plan to be sound, we have identified issues
with some of the policies and site allocations which do compromise the overall
soundness of the plan.
Under paragraph 35 of the NPPF some aspects of this Plan are unsound as they
have not been positively prepared, are not justified, effective, or consistent with
national policy. We have identified below some of the key areas where we find the
Plan unsound and what measures are needed to make the Plan sound. In summary
we highlight the following issues
1. Recommended changes to policy wording
We are pleased to see the site assessments and sustainability appraisal for the
allocations. Although these are not full heritage impact assessments, these
assessments do make some helpful recommendations for the sites.
However, these recommendations are not always reflected in the policy.
As currently drafted, there is sometimes either a lack of criteria or insufficient
detail within the site-specific policies for the conservation and enhancement of
the historic environment. The NPPF (para 16d) makes it clear that Plans should
contain policies that are clearly written and unambiguous, so it is evident how a
decision maker should react development proposals. Further advice on the content of
policies is given in the PPG at Paragraph: 002 Reference ID: 61-002-20190315
Revision date: 15 03 2019. It states that, ‘Where sites are proposed for allocation,
sufficient detail should be given to provide clarity to developers, local communities
and other interested parties about the nature and scale of development’.
We have therefore suggested a number of relatively minor changes to the policies to
incorporate these recommendations and address some of our concerns.
2. Heritage Impact Assessment of Bawburgh Site
The Bawburgh Site is perhaps most sensitive in heritage terms. There are several
designated heritage assets nearby including the Conservation Area, listed buildings
and scheduled monuments. Indeed, the Site Assessment states that a Heritage
Impact Assessment (HIA) may be required. We concur with this.
Paragraph 31 and 192 of the NPPF requires a proportionate evidence base for Plans
and we consider that an HIA for this site would help to ensure a robust evidence
base for the Local Plan.
Therefore, we recommend that a proportionate Heritage Impact Assessment is
undertaken now to inform the suitability of the site per se, assess the impact, identify
any mitigation and enhancement required and inform any changes to policy wording.
We would remind you that paragraph 32 of the NPPF makes it clear that significant
adverse impacts should be avoided wherever possible and alternative options
pursued. Only where these impacts are unavoidable should suitable mitigation
measures be proposed. Further detail is given in the attached table.
Where a potential impact is identified, wording should be included in the policy and
supporting text to this effect. We suggest the inclusion of additional bullet point in the
site allocation. Ideally, the bullet point should mention the specific asset(s), the policy
requirement (see wording in appendix) and any potential mitigation required.
Closing comments
We have suggested a series of other changes to the Plan. Many of these changes
suggested do not go to the heart of the Plan’s soundness, but instead are intended to
improve upon it. We believe that these comments can be addressed by changes to
wording in the plan.
In preparation of the local plan, we encourage you to draw on the knowledge of local
conservation officers, the county archaeologist and local heritage groups.
Historic England, Brooklands, 24 Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge CB2 8BU
Telephone 01223 58 2749 HistoricEngland.org.uk
Please note that Historic England operates an access to information policy.
Correspondence or information which you send us may therefore become publicly available.
Please note that absence of a comment on a policy, allocation or document in this
letter does not mean that Historic England is content that the policy, allocation or
document is devoid of historic environment issues. We should like to stress that this
response is based on the information provided by the Council in its consultation. To
avoid any doubt, this does not affect our obligation to provide further advice and,
potentially, object to specific proposals, which may subsequently arise as a result of
this plan, where we consider that these would have an adverse effect upon the
historic environment.


GNLP5004
Land off Buxton Road, Eastgate, Cawston
The policy states that an archaeological assessment will be required prior to development which is broadly welcomed. The SA recommends that the policy should make it clear whether these should be desk based of field studies. Moreover, in our view, some assessment is needed to inform any planning application. We therefore advise that the criterion should be amended to read, ‘Planning applications should be supported by archaeological assessment including the results of field evaluation where appropriate.’
The SA also recommends that the landscaping should be species appropriate to the local area.
Amend policy re archaeological assessment to read ‘Planning applications should be supported by archaeological assessment including the results of field evaluation where appropriate.’ And make clear if desk based or field based appropriate.
Amend policy to state that ‘landscaping should be species appropriate to the local area.’

GNLP5005
Strayground Lane, Wymondham Recycling Centre
No comments

GNLP5009 Hockering Lane, Bawburgh

Whilst there are no designated heritage assets within the site, the Bawburgh Conservation Area lies to the west of the site but is separated by a block of development. There are listed buildings and scheduled monuments to the north west of the site across the valley. The development has the potential to impact the significance of these heritage assets via a change in their settings.
The Site assessment suggests the preparation of a Heritage Impact Assessment. The Sustainability Appraisal identifies negative impact.
Given this is one of the more sensitive sites in heritage terms, an HIA should be prepared now to inform the suitability of the site per se and the policy wording.
The policy states that an archaeological assessment will be required prior to development. As with the Cawston site it would helpful for the policy to state if the assessment should be desk based or field based. Moreover, in our view, some assessment is needed to inform any planning application. We therefore advise that the criterion should be amended to read, ‘Planning applications should be supported by archaeological assessment including the results of field evaluation where appropriate.’
The SA recommends that the policy should protect or where possible enhance the trees and hedgerow surrounding the site, which would be likely to help conserve the landscape character and historic settings of nearby heritage assets in Bawburgh by ensuring the site is appropriately screened. This should be included in the policy.
We recommend an HIA is prepared now prior to inform the suitability of the site and policy wording.
Amend policy re archaeological assessment to read ‘Planning applications should be supported by archaeological assessment including the results of field evaluation where appropriate.’ And make clear if desk based or field based appropriate.
Add criterion to read ‘Protect and enhance the trees and hedgerows surrounding the site to conserve the landscape character and historic settings of nearby heritage assets in Bawburgh by ensuring the site is appropriately screened’.

GNLP5014
A47 North Burlingham Junction
We welcome bullet point 3 in relation to landscaping to protect views of non-designated heritage assets nearby.

GNLP5019 Woodland Stable, Shortthorn Road, Stratton Strawless
No comments

GNLP5020 Romany Meadow, The Turnpike, Carleton Rode
Whilst there are no designated heritage assets within the site, there are several grade II listed buildings nearby including The Ashes to the east and a cluster of grade II properties to the northwest. However, the site is quite well contained and intervening landscaping should limit the impact on the historic environment.
We welcome bullet point 4 in relation to landscaping to protect views of nearby listed buildings.

GNLP5021 The Old Produce Shop, Holt Road, Horsford
No comments

GNLP5022 The Oaks, Foulsham
This is an extension of an existing site. Whilst there are no designated heritage assets within the site, the grade II* church of St Andrew lies to the south east of the site. There are three grade II listed buildings close by including Manor Farm House to the west, Old Hall to the East and Old Hall Farmhouse to the north east of the site. However, the site is well screened and there is intervening off- site vegetation. Therefore, we consider any impact on designated heritage assets would be minimal.
We welcome bullet point 4 in relation to landscaping to protect views of nearby listed buildings.

GNLP5023 Strayground Lane, Wymondham
The SA states that the policy could be further improved by detailed requirements to consider landscaping measures to reduce potential for adverse effects on the surrounding landscape character
Add policy criterion to read
‘Landscaping measures to reduce potential for adverse effects on the surrounding landscape character’

GNLP5024 Upgate Street, Carleton Rode
Whilst there are no designated heritage assets within the site, there are two grade II listed buildings to the north of the site and the New Buckenham Conservation Area to the west of the site. The site assessment states that Bunns Bank Linear Earthwork, which elsewhere in its course is scheduled, is adjacent to the site and should be taken into consideration. This requirement should be included in the policy wording of the Plan. We suggest an additional bullet point to the policy criteria.
However, overall the site is well screened and there is intervening off- site vegetation. Therefore, we consider any impact on designated heritage would be minimal.
Amend policy wording to add bullet point to read:
‘Protect the adjacent Bunns Bank Linear Earthwork.‘

Reasonable Alternative Site Policy GNLP5013 Ketteringham Depot land west of Station Lane, Ketteringham
Whilst there are no designated heritage assets within the site boundary, there are two round barrows (scheduled monuments) to the south of the site and several grade II listed buildings nearby. However, these are all over 500 metres from the site. Given the distance and intervening vegetation, we consider there would be little impact on designated heritage.