Publication

There are questions as to the soundness of this part of the plan and whether the Council has fully assessed the attributes of this site and that this site has easy access to facilities within Rackheath. The proposed development has been designed to be closely related to the existing built development fronting Norwich Road and as stated in the HELAA Comparison Table the original site is not considered to have adverse landscape and townscape impacts.

The reduction in the scale of development has resulted in a corresponding increase in open space and Green Infrastructure and biodiversity and the wider benefits of these needs to be properly considered. The change in the scale and location of the development also needs to be considered as the current assessments are not based on up to date information.

These representations relate to site GNLP0487 – Land to the North of Norwich Road, Salhouse. Representations were submitted in the Regulation 18 Consultation on the basis that the proposal would provide a 60-bed care home and circa 90 dwellings for over 55 years residents. This proposal was also looking to provide a significant level of Green Infrastructure.

The proposal is seeking to meet the objectives of Policy 41 of the plan in that “Development will also need to be designed to include high quality green infrastructure and community facilities to encourage healthy and active lifestyles, including healthy ageing and active retirement. Good quality housing and local access to facilities for all will be needed to reduce inequalities. This will assist in reducing health inequalities”

Following the comments made in relation to this site, as detailed on the attached masterplan, a smaller scale form of development is proposed providing 40 dwellings, both market and affordable housing and a 60-bed care home. The development proposal has been located so that it more readily adjoins the built development in Salhouse and the proposed Green Infrastructure will reinforce the physical separation between Salhouse and Rackheath. However, it should be noted that this site will be looking to utilise and access the wide range of facilities within Rackheath, which are located approximately 750m to the south west. It is important to stress that the site is not proposing family housing and as a consequence the impact on Salhouse Primary School will be minimal.

Whilst, the Council have assessed the site in the Stage 2 – HELAA Comparison Table, there are questions as to the accuracy of the scores applied and it is considered important that further information is provided to correct these inaccuracies.
This site is currently subject to a yet undetermined application 20170243- Residential development comprising a minimum of 95 dwellings including affordable housing, landscaping, car parking and 7.01 hectares of publicly accessible green infrastructure containing children's play equipment, tree planting and a 30 space visitor car park (Outline). This application has demonstrated that a safe means of access can be created onto Norwich Road. The speed limit on this road has recently been reduced to 40mph and there are questions as to the accuracy of the score applied and whether this should be changed from amber to green.

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