Publication

Given the dire need for preserving and enhancing the natural environment, it is the view that large amounts of natural land should be allocated to provide Public Open Space, at a suitable scale that would supplement existing development, ensuring the whole Plan provides biodiversity net gains and ecological enhancements. For example, the land at Racecourse Community Park is an existing Parkland that is underused, but would benefit from additional revenue to facilitate a vast program of works to boost the biodiversity and ecological value of the land once the planned interventions along its boundaries take place. Namely, the extension to the Thickthorn Park & Ride and the A47/A11 Highways England link road. The opening up the park to the public alongside with the limited built development proposed at site GNLP0177-B would result in a range of benefits to economic, social and community infrastructure and contribute positively to the natural environment.

The allocation of this essential green infrastructure and the three relatively small sites which would secure its long-term management and maintenance within GNLP0177-B would protect it for present and future generations and reduce the deterioration of the landscape likely to result from the planned interventions along its boundaries.

As can be seen through the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of accessible public open space within close proximity to homes and places of work is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Given the existing infrastructure improvements and the adjacent Park and Ride and its planned extension this site could provide not only large-scale community space for the residents of both Hethersett and Cringleford, but would supplement the public open space provision of other allocations and developments nearby.

The GNLP is deficient in housing for the elderly, employment land, and the impact on the environment. See rep summaries for detail.

Many individuals have seen how traumatic it is moving loved relatives in the later years of their life to C2 institutions which often result in unfamiliar surroundings which can exacerbate deteriorating health conditions. As such, the allocation of more 'Care Village' sites, where residents can age gracefully in the relative comfort of their own homes, whilst having independence, as well as medical and social care on site for when they need it, is a better strategy to address the needs of the aging population in the GNLP area. Additionally, through the allocation of specific additional sites, the significant identified need can be better addressed.

For example, one such site of the many needed is the Racecourse Community Park. this site promotes the concept of creating a care village which residents can move into before the critical stage of later life begins whilst they have full cognitive functions. This would foster community cohesion as well aid in stimulating community activities. There would be great benefit in allocating site GNLP0177-B at the Racecourse Community Park for specialist older persons accommodation and care provision to address the identified need. Through the allocation of Site GNLP0177-B , the Plan would not only better address the identified need for elderly accommodation, but provide a better alternative to C2 institutions and be in keeping with the aims and objectives of the GNLP and wider national strategies and ambitions.

As stated with the various evidence bases, there is a predicted short fall of over 3500 specialist units, if these were not to be provided across the residential allocations within the Greater Norwich Local Plan area. Incorporating so many of these in housing allocations has negative repercussions for future residents. Humans by nature thrive in communities, places where social interaction amongst like-minded and similar aged individuals helps retain and improve cognitive functions. The Racecourse Community Park provides the setting, and aspiration to deliver not only purpose-built homes in a community, but homes that would foster and encourage interactions amongst elderly occupiers and residents, whilst also being able to cater for a large dedicated variety of elderly care needs. Additionally, given the rise in suicide rates for elderly individuals due to depression and isolation it is viewed that providing more specialist accommodation clusters, such as this site in a setting which encourages outdoor social interaction could accommodate and help provide a better quality of life. This would also negate the inevitable token 3 or 4 units that will be sandwiched within large residential allocations in order to be policy compliant. As such, it is viewed that dedicated allocations of designated elderly accommodation is preferable not only for future occupiers, but also for developers aiding viability and ensuring deliverability of the residential allocations.

Policy 5 of the Greater Norwich Local Plan relates to the provision of housing. The policy encompasses all elements of housing including affordable housing, space standards, accessible and specialist housing, gypsy and traveler accommodation, purpose-built student accommodation, and self or custom build housing. Regarding the need for the provision of elderly accommodation, Policy 5 supports the incorporation of specialist accommodation within residential proposals. The Racecourse Community Park would include a significant element of specialist accommodation for the elderly and employment generating uses. The site therefore not only ties in with a wider strategic vision for the greater Norwich area but also adheres to the requirements of policy 5. It is noted that policy 5 will support specialist elderly accommodation where there is good access to local services. As part of the overall proposals for this site it is envisaged that a range of services will be provided that not only cover amenity, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, but also basic services to supplement those offered within both Hethersett and Cringleford. This is reinforced by the proposed Highways England improvement works to the A47/ A11 Thickthorn Junction Improvement scheme and the Parkland Management Plan for the Racecourse Community Park which has identified the need for minor allocations (for employment generating uses in close proximity to the Thickthorn Park & Ride extension and new link road) in support of the long-term ambitions and management strategy for the site.

The GNLP is deficient in housing for the elderly, employment land, and the impact on the environment. See rep summaries for detail.

Regarding making the plan sound, it is viewed necessary that new sites be considered for allocation that provide dedicated elderly care facilities in meaningful numbers, to foster new elderly communities in sustainable locations and settings conducive to promoting active living as much as possible. It is considered essential that such facilities do not replicate old care-home institutions, but are more akin to the 'care village model', where independence is guaranteed through individual and self-contained accommodation, and both medical and social care are available on site around the clock. This reduces the need for turbulent evictions of those too old or ill to look after themselves and allows residents to retain an active lifestyle through available community facilities and open space in close proximity. Furthermore, through creating safe environments for residents, active social lives can be encouraged, where public open space is provided in abundance for all. This comes without the necessary maintenance issues that would deter older people from utilising private outdoor amenity space such as private gardens in their later years. Through the allocation of specific sites, the identified need is addressed more comprehensively, and this not only satisfies paragraph 61 of the NPPF but accommodates the vision outlined in the Strategy for promoting healthy vibrant lifestyles for communities.

The GNLP is deficient in housing for the elderly, employment land, and the impact on the environment. See rep summaries for detail.

Furthermore, the greater Norwich local plan allocates only 54.2 hectares of employment land for the next 17 years. It is considered that this is an exceptionally conservative estimate and that greater amounts of land may well be needed for future purposes. As already shown through the events of last year during the pandemic it is important to have a choice of places of employment within easy reach of new and existing homes. As such the GNLP needs to be more flexible providing opportunity for new creative industries and encouraging diversity in typology as much as possible to weather future crises. Through the allocation of more employment generating land of the type proposed at the Racecourse Community Park (site GNLP0177-B ) it is considered that the Greater Norwich Local Plan would be more robust as well as the local economy being more resilient through the provision and facilitation of greater choice of employment space and new opportunities close to existing homes and a Park and Ride.
The Greater Norwich Local Plan relies significantly upon undelivered previously allocated land. This land amounts to 229.9 hectares of land, as of April 2018, which will have been undeveloped for multiple reasons. It is fair to assume that not all of these reasons will have been overcome, and other issues impeding delivery have arisen. As such, further employment land, particularly smaller sites, need to be allocated to address existing and anticipated needs as a result of recent trends.
Policy 6 also states that development should seek to enhance the environment and economy of centers and villages with more dispersed services to protect their function and avoid the loss of commercial premises or local services.
As part of the Racecourse Community Park (GNLP0177-B ) a large area of public open space is to be provided. This land not only offers a wealth of biodiversity enhancements but usable public open space that would supplement and enhance the provision offered to both Hethersett and Cringleford. Furthermore, this site would result in more dispersed services within an easily accessible location to both residential areas. As such policy 6 would in theory be supportive of this development coming forward. The small parts of this site proposed for build development would perfectly supplement the employment provision proposed as part of the current draft Greater Norwich Local Plan.

The GNLP is deficient in housing for the elderly, employment land, and the impact on the environment. See rep summaries for detail.

It is considered that a review into strategic gaps and coalescence should be undertaken. An initial assessment has been completed for the Hethersett- Cringleford strategic gap. A copy is enclosed with this representation. From this we can see that development can be accommodated safely within the identified areas without impacting upon or resulting in coalescence between the two settlements. This would open up highly sustainable land, with a wealth of public benefits and opportunities. As a consequence of this, it is considered that the allocation of small sites within the originally proposed area identified as Hethersett GNLP0177-BR would be sustainable. This has been further evidenced through the procurement of a Parkland Management Plan for the site that would result in a strong preservation and enhancement of not only the historic assets but also the natural assets of the site whilst introducing new community and social infrastructure and opportunities for outdoor leisure and recreation through the creation of permission footpaths and access to the Parkland.

The GNLP is deficient in housing for the elderly, employment land, and the impact on the environment. See rep summaries for detail.

It is considered that a review into strategic gaps and coalescence should be undertaken. An initial assessment has been completed for the Hethersett- Cringleford strategic gap. A copy is enclosed with this representation. From this we can see that development can be accommodated safely within the identified areas without impacting upon or resulting in coalescence between the two settlements. This would open up highly sustainable land, with a wealth of public benefits and opportunities. As a consequence of this, it is considered that the allocation of small sites within the originally proposed area identified as Hethersett GNLP0177-BR would be sustainable. This has been further evidenced through the procurement of a Parkland Management Plan for the site that would result in a strong preservation and enhancement of not only the historic assets but also the natural assets of the site whilst introducing new community and social infrastructure and opportunities for outdoor leisure and recreation through the creation of permission footpaths and access to the Parkland.

The GNLP is deficient in housing for the elderly, employment land, and the impact on the environment. See rep summaries for detail.

Furthermore, the greater Norwich local plan allocates only 54.2 hectares of employment land for the next 17 years. It is considered that this is an exceptionally conservative estimate and that greater amounts of land may well be needed for future purposes. As already shown through the events of last year during the pandemic it is important to have a choice of places of employment within easy reach of new and existing homes. As such the GNLP needs to be more flexible providing opportunity for new creative industries and encouraging diversity in typology as much as possible to weather future crises. Through the allocation of more employment generating land of the type proposed at the Racecourse Community Park (site GNLP0177-B ) it is considered that the Greater Norwich Local Plan would be more robust as well as the local economy being more resilient through the provision and facilitation of greater choice of employment space and new opportunities close to existing homes and a Park and Ride.

The Greater Norwich Local Plan relies significantly upon undelivered previously allocated land. This land amounts to 229.9 hectares of land, as of April 2018, which will have been undeveloped for multiple reasons. It is fair to assume that not all of these reasons will have been overcome, and other issues impeding delivery have arisen. As such, further employment land, particularly smaller sites, need to be allocated to address existing and anticipated needs as a result of recent trends.

Policy 6 also states that development should seek to enhance the environment and economy of centers and villages with more dispersed services to protect their function and avoid the loss of commercial premises or local services.

As part of the Racecourse Community Park (GNLP0177-B ) a large area of public open space is to be provided. This land not only offers a wealth of biodiversity enhancements but usable public open space that would supplement and enhance the provision offered to both Hethersett and Cringleford. Furthermore, this site would result in more dispersed services within an easily accessible location to both residential areas. As such policy 6 would in theory be supportive of this development coming forward. The small parts of this site proposed for build development would perfectly supplement the employment provision proposed as part of the current draft Greater Norwich Local Plan.

Please find attached representations in relation to the GNLP Regulation 19 consultation with regard to site GNLP0177-B. These representations are submitted by Le Ronde Wright Limited on behalf of the Trustees of the site.

This representation relates to Policy 3, 5, 6 and the SA. For more details please view the summaries.

It is considered that a review into strategic gaps and coalescence should be undertaken. An initial assessment has been completed for the Hethersett- Cringleford strategic gap. A copy is enclosed with this representation. From this we can see that development can be accommodated safely within the identified areas without impacting upon or resulting in coalescence between the two settlements. This would open up highly sustainable land, with a wealth of public benefits and opportunities. As a consequence of this, it is considered that the allocation of small sites within the originally proposed area identified as Hethersett GNLP0177-BR would be sustainable. This has been further evidenced through the procurement of a Parkland Management Plan for the site that would result in a strong preservation and enhancement of not only the historic assets but also the natural assets of the site whilst introducing new community and social infrastructure and opportunities for outdoor leisure and recreation through the creation of permission footpaths and access to the Parkland.

Please find attached representations in relation to the GNLP Regulation 19 consultation with regard to site GNLP0177-B. These representations are submitted by Le Ronde Wright Limited on behalf of the Trustees of the site.

This representation relates to Policy 3, 5, 6 and the SA. For more details please view the summaries.

Regarding making the plan sound, it is viewed necessary that new sites be considered for allocation that provide dedicated elderly care facilities in meaningful numbers, to foster new elderly communities in sustainable locations and settings conducive to promoting active living as much as possible. It is considered essential that such facilities do not replicate old care-home institutions, but are more akin to the 'care village model', where independence is guaranteed through individual and self-contained accommodation, and both medical and social care are available on site around the clock. This reduces the need for turbulent evictions of those too old or ill to look after themselves and allows residents to retain an active lifestyle through available community facilities and open space in close proximity. Furthermore, through creating safe environments for residents, active social lives can be encouraged, where public open space is provided in abundance for all. This comes without the necessary maintenance issues that would deter older people from utilising private outdoor amenity space such as private gardens in their later years. Through the allocation of specific sites, the identified need is addressed more comprehensively, and this not only satisfies paragraph 61 of the NPPF but accommodates the vision outlined in the Strategy for promoting healthy vibrant lifestyles for communities.

Please find attached representations in relation to the GNLP Regulation 19 consultation with regard to site GNLP0177-B. These representations are submitted by Le Ronde Wright Limited on behalf of the Trustees of the site.

This representation relates to Policy 3, 5, 6 and the SA. For more details please view the summaries.

Many individuals have seen how traumatic it is moving loved relatives in the later years of their life to C2 institutions which often result in unfamiliar surroundings which can exacerbate deteriorating health conditions. As such, the allocation of more 'Care Village' sites, where residents can age gracefully in the relative comfort of their own homes, whilst having independence, as well as medical and social care on site for when they need it, is a better strategy to address the needs of the aging population in the GNLP area. Additionally, through the allocation of specific additional sites, the significant identified need can be better addressed.

For example, one such site of the many needed is the Racecourse Community Park. this site promotes the concept of creating a care village which residents can move into before the critical stage of later life begins whilst they have full cognitive functions. This would foster community cohesion as well aid in stimulating community activities. There would be great benefit in allocating site GNLP0177-B at the Racecourse Community Park for specialist older persons accommodation and care provision to address the identified need. Through the allocation of Site GNLP0177-B , the Plan would not only better address the identified need for elderly accommodation, but provide a better alternative to C2 institutions and be in keeping with the aims and objectives of the GNLP and wider national strategies and ambitions.

As stated with the various evidence bases, there is a predicted short fall of over 3500 specialist units, if these were not to be provided across the residential allocations within the Greater Norwich Local Plan area. Incorporating so many of these in housing allocations has negative repercussions for future residents. Humans by nature thrive in communities, places where social interaction amongst like-minded and similar aged individuals helps retain and improve cognitive functions. The Racecourse Community Park provides the setting, and aspiration to deliver not only purpose-built homes in a community, but homes that would foster and encourage interactions amongst elderly occupiers and residents, whilst also being able to cater for a large dedicated variety of elderly care needs. Additionally, given the rise in suicide rates for elderly individuals due to depression and isolation it is viewed that providing more specialist accommodation clusters, such as this site in a setting which encourages outdoor social interaction could accommodate and help provide a better quality of life. This would also negate the inevitable token 3 or 4 units that will be sandwiched within large residential allocations in order to be policy compliant. As such, it is viewed that dedicated allocations of designated elderly accommodation is preferable not only for future occupiers, but also for developers aiding viability and ensuring deliverability of the residential allocations.

Policy 5 of the Greater Norwich Local Plan relates to the provision of housing. The policy encompasses all elements of housing including affordable housing, space standards, accessible and specialist housing, gypsy and traveler accommodation, purpose-built student accommodation, and self or custom build housing. Regarding the need for the provision of elderly accommodation, Policy 5 supports the incorporation of specialist accommodation within residential proposals. The Racecourse Community Park would include a significant element of specialist accommodation for the elderly and employment generating uses. The site therefore not only ties in with a wider strategic vision for the greater Norwich area but also adheres to the requirements of policy 5. It is noted that policy 5 will support specialist elderly accommodation where there is good access to local services. As part of the overall proposals for this site it is envisaged that a range of services will be provided that not only cover amenity, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, but also basic services to supplement those offered within both Hethersett and Cringleford. This is reinforced by the proposed Highways England improvement works to the A47/ A11 Thickthorn Junction Improvement scheme and the Parkland Management Plan for the Racecourse Community Park which has identified the need for minor allocations (for employment generating uses in close proximity to the Thickthorn Park & Ride extension and new link road) in support of the long-term ambitions and management strategy for the site.

Please find attached representations in relation to the GNLP Regulation 19 consultation with regard to site GNLP0177-B. These representations are submitted by Le Ronde Wright Limited on behalf of the Trustees of the site.

This representation relates to Policy 3, 5, 6 and the SA. For more details please view the summaries.