STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT STATEMENT LAND … · MARCH 2016. Beacon Planning Limited 8 Quy...

STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY

INVOLVEMENT STATEMENT

LAND NORTH OF YARMOUTH ROAD,

MARCH 2016

exyar

0488

Beacon Planning Limited

8 Quy Court

Colliers Lane

Stow-cum-Quy

Cambridge

CB25 9AU

Tel : 01223 810990

Fax : 01223 810991

E-mail : [email protected]

www.beaconplanning.co.uk

© Beacon Planning Ltd 2016

This document has been prepared in accordance with the scope of Beacon Planning Limited’s

appointment with its client and is subject to the terms of that appointment. It is addressed to

and for the sole and confidential use and reliance of Beacon Planning Limited’s client. Beacon

Planning Limited accepts no liability for any use of this document other than by its client and

only for the purposes for which it was prepared and provided. No person other than the client

may copy (in whole or in part) use or rely on the contents of this document, without the prior

written permission of the Company Secretary of Beacon Planning Limited. Any advice, opin-

Project Ref: 15-1126

Date: MARCH 2016

Prepared:

Sophie Pain

Senior Consultant

Checked:

Jenny Page

Head of Planning

Land at Yarmouth Road, Blofield

Statement of Community Involvement 16/03/2016 Page 0 of 18

BOVIS HOMES LTD, MESSRS A, J & R SMITH AND SLA PROPERTY COMPANY LTD LAND AT YARMOUTH ROAD, BLOFIELD STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT CONTENTS 1.0 BACKGROUND

2.0 SUMMARY OF PROPOSED APPLICATION

3.0 POLICY FRAMEWORK

4.0 CONSULTATION PROCESS

5.0 CONSULTATION FEEDBACK

6.0 SUMMARY

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1 Exhibition Leaflet

APPENDIX 2 Invitation and list of Stakeholders

APPENDIX 3 Exhibition Boards

APPENDIX 4 Comments Sheet

APPENDIX 5 Table of comments and responses



1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1 This Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) has been prepared by Beacon Planning Ltd

on behalf of Bovis Homes Ltd, and ‘AGH Smith, JE Smith, RG Smith & SLA Property Company

Ltd’ (the Applicants). The purpose of this statement is to summarise the actions taken in

advance of the submission of two planning applications for land north of Yarmouth Road,

Blofield.

1.2 The statement supports two planning applications. One outline planning application for up

to 175 dwellings and associated open space and one hybrid application for 1,500 sqm of

employment floor space in full and 1,000 sqm of employment floor space in outline.

1.3 The site is included in Broadland District Council Proposed Submissions Site Allocations DPD

which was examined during June/July 2015. The Inspector requested modifications to the

DPD, which were consulted upon during September/October 2015. None of the

modifications related to the emerging site allocations pertain to this site. The Inspectors

decision on the draft Local Plan is imminent.

1.4 An outline planning application was submitted for a mixed use development comprising of

up to 175 residential units, up to 4,000 sqm employment (Class B1) and open space in

August 2011. Broadland District Council refused the planning application in April 2012. This

decision was later appealed and in March 2013, the Planning Inspectorate allowed the

appeal.

1.5 The above permission has lapsed and as a consequence a revised application has been

prepared to renew the permission. These two planning applications are effectively a repeat

of the previous application. The revised applications are as follows:

1) Outline planning application for up to 175 dwellings with all matters reserved.

2) Hybrid planning application for 1,500 sqm of employment floor space in full and

1,000 sqm of employment floor space in outline



1.6 This statement sets out the public consultation that has been carried out as part of the

planning application process and explains how the consultation has informed the evolution

of the proposals. Public consultations have been carried out in accordance with national and

local policies and meet the requirements of Broadland District Council’s Statement of

Community Involvement, adopted in 2006 and amended in 2008.

1.7 The key aims of the pre-application public consultation exercise were:

To inform local residents, businesses, Councillors and other stakeholders about the

proposals for the site;

To gain a full understanding of local views of the proposals, engage with the local

and wider community throughout the design development and use these views to

identify concerns and opportunities and where possible to inform the evolving

proposals; and

To demonstrate how issues raised by the community and stakeholders have been

taken into account and to identify changes that have been made to the proposals as

a result of comments from the community.



2.0 SUMMARY OF PROPOSED APPLICATIONS

2.1 In total, the proposed development is for up to 175 residential units, 2,500 sqm of

employment facilities (Class B1), open space, car parking and associated infrastructure.

2.2 The total site area for the two applications is 8.6 hectares and is located to the west of

Blofield village centre. The site fronts onto the north side of Yarmouth Road and to the

south of the A47.

2.3 The site was formally used for arable farming but is currently vacant. To the south is

Yarmouth Road. To the west are some residential properties as well as a number of

commercial uses that are located in Frogs Hole. To the south east corner is Brewster Court,

a development of sheltered bungalows and to the east is Globe Lane a residential street of 2

storey properties, whose gardens back onto the proposed site. To the north is the A47, a

dual carriageway that links Norwich with Great Yarmouth.

2.4 The proposed development will have the following benefits:

New market and new affordable housing;

An increase of customers for existing shops, services and facilities;

Creation of jobs on the employment site and during the construction process;

New areas of open space;

New children’s play facilities;

New footpaths and cycle ways that will link with existing network;

A new landscaped edge to the western edge of Blofield;

Ecological enhancement; and

Management of surface water on site to reduce the impact on the existing drainage

network.



3.0 POLICY FRAMEWORK

National Context

3.1 The NPPF (2012) advises that local planning authorities should work proactively with

applicants to secure developments that deliver economic, social and environmental benefits

to the local area, in line with the principles of sustainable development.

3.2 At paragraph 188 the NPPF identifies that early engagement has significant potential to

improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning application system for all parties. It

goes on to say that good quality pre-application discussion enables better coordination

between public and private resources and improved outcomes for the community.

3.3 At paragraph 189, the NPPF encourages applicants who are not already required to do so by

law, to engage with the local community before submitting their applications.

Local Context

3.4 Broadland District Council Statement of Community Involvement sets out what community

involvement is expected when a major planning application is being prepared for submission

to the Council.

3.5 The SCI supports national policy in recognising that there are significant benefits to be

gained from involving the Council and relevant communities at the pre-application stage.

The emphasis and responsibility of local consultation lies with the applicant to organise,

undertake and fund pre-application consultation. There is also the suggestion that the

applicant liaise with the relevant Parish Council when setting up any public consultation

event. In order for the District Council to maintain their impartiality, they ask to oversee the

consultation that is being undertaken under the term of a ‘watching brief’.

3.6 The District Council encourage applicants to undertake pre-application consultation during

the consideration of any outline proposals and that the results of the consultation is shared

with the Council as part of the planning application submission.



4.0 THE CONSULTATION PROCESS

4.1 The consultation process for the proposed development on land north of Yarmouth Road

meets the requirements of Broadland District Council’s Statement of Community

Involvement. It is considered that the consultation that has been carried out for the

proposed development has achieved this through the following actions:

Conducted appropriate engagement that fits with the community’s needs;

Conducted an accessible and visible public exhibition;

Explained clearly what the scope of the consultation is and what can and cannot be

changed;

Analysed the results from the consultation objectively;

Summarised how the responses have affected the emerging proposals for the scheme;

and

Ensured feedback, analysis and any response is available to the public and

consultation participants upon request.

Engagement with Broadland District Council Officers

4.2 As part of the pre-application process, a meeting was held with officers at Broadland District

Council on 15th October 2015. As objective of this meeting was to agree the process by

which the scheme the subject of the lapsed permission could be renewed and to ensure that

officers are aware of the emerging proposals and timetable. The scope of the supporting

information was also discussed and agreed. Since the meeting, further discussion has been

undertaken and the consultation strategy agreed with officers.

4.3 Members of the consultant team have also been in contact with the appropriate

stakeholders on technical matters, such as agreeing the scope of the supporting statements

and to discuss and agree the findings.

4.4 A formal Screening Letter was submitted to the Council on 3 November 2015 to determine

whether an Environmental Impact Assessment would be required. A letter dated 16

November 2015 was received stating the proposals did not constitute EIA development and

that consequently no Environmental Statement was required.



Engagement with Stakeholders and the Local Community

Public Exhibition

4.5 The purpose of the public consultation was to give local residents, community

representatives and other stakeholders the opportunity to view and comment on the

scheme for Land north of Yarmouth Road prior to submission of the application.

4.6 At this consultation event, Beacon Planning presented the indicative layouts for the

residential site and employment uses, on behalf of the applicants for the local community to

discuss and provide comments upon.

Publicising the Public Exhibition

4.7 To publicise the event, a leaflet was delivered to all residences within the parish of Blofield

and Blofield Heath on 22nd January 2016 (Appendix 1). This amounted to approximately

2,000 homes. The leaflet provided a brief summary of the proposed scheme and explained

the purpose of the public consultation. The leaflets also advertised the consultation dates

and exhibition arrangements. The leaflet featured a map explaining the position of the

development site in relation to the wider area of Blofield. A detachable comments form

with a Freepost address allowed residents to write and submit their comments.

4.8 A number of invites were also sent out to key stakeholders including District and Parish

Councillors, the Leader and Portfolio Holder of Broadland District Council and the

Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. A full list of stakeholders that were invited and a copy

of the invite can be found at Appendix 2.

4.9 The public consultation ran from 22nd January 2016 until 26th February 2016. This

consultation period provided ample time for residents and stakeholders to review the

proposals and submit any comments.



Conducting the Public Exhibition

4.10 The public exhibition took place at The Courthouse, Yarmouth Road, Blofield on Friday 5th

February 2016 between 2 pm – 7:30 pm.

4.11 The timing of the event was chosen to encourage the maximum number of people to attend

and was extended until 7:30 pm at the request of the Parish Council to allow those who

commute from further afield to attend.

4.12 The Courthouse was chosen as it is within Blofield and has good accessibility, with a ramp

situated on the eastern side of the building and level access. Directions signs were placed

around the building to identify where the exhibition was taking place. It is also very close to

the application site.

4.13 The scheme was set out on 7 boards, a copy of which is attached at Appendix 3 and

comments sheets (Appendix 4) were available to either complete at the event and leave in a

comments box, or to take away and return by 26th February 2016.

4.14 Members of the project team were on hand at the event to answer any questions that

residents had and to explain the proposals in more detail to attendees.

4.15 The exhibition was attended by 117 people.

Using appropriate response channels

4.16 Stakeholders and members of the local community have been able to provide their feedback

and comments in the following ways:

By post using the detachable Freepost comments form on the leaflet;

By email ([email protected]);

By telephone;

By attending the public exhibition where members of the project team were

available and where comments forms were available to fill out; and

mailto:[email protected]



Via the development website (www.manorparkblofield.co.uk) which sent all

comments through to the above email address.

http://www.manorparkblofield.co.uk/



5.0 CONSULTATION FEEDBACK

5.1 During the consultation process, 36 responses were received. The predominant method for

providing feedback was at the exhibition using the comments forms, but there have also

been emails and the comments slip from the leaflet returned too.

5.2 At Appendix 5 there is a table which provides all the written comments that were provided

in response to the consultation. The project team have provided a response to each of these

comments to ensure that all have been taken into consideration as part of the preparation

of these planning applications.

5.3 To summarise the table at Appendix 5, there were a number of themes that were of concern

to the local community. These were in no particular order:

The impact of additional traffic on the Cucumber Lane roundabout;

The impact of traffic along Yarmouth Road;

The ability for future residents to exit the proposed development onto Yarmouth

Road;

The proximity of two further accesses onto Yarmouth Road and their relationship to

existing points of access;

The impact of additional cars on the already heavily congested The Street; and

The impact of additional residents on schools and doctors services, which are

already stretched.

5.4 These are all matters that the project team have given consideration to in the development

of the scheme. The transport consultants have discussed the impact of this proposed

development with Norfolk County Council and Highways England. The accompanying

Transport Assessment takes into account the recent traffic survey data from 2015 and has

concluded that the traffic generated by the proposed scheme would not have an adverse

impact on the highway network. Further analysis of the conclusions is provided within the

Planning Statement and Transport Assessment.

5.5 With regard to the impact on schools and doctors services, these are all very valid concerns

of local residents. These matters will be addressed and discussed with the relevant



authorities through the planning application process and the applicants are aware, it is likely

that financial contributions will be required in order to mitigate the impact of this

development upon the local services.

5.6 Comments were received in connection to the proposal for a pedestrian and cycle link to be

located through Globe Court to the east of the site. Residents were concerned that a

number of people would use this, particularly on the school run and that it would disturb

residents of Globe Court. The suggestion was made to re-route the link to the north of

Globe Court and out onto the public highway via an existing gate. The project team have

investigated this suggestion and concluded that the proposed route is a more direct and

safer route for future users.

Parish Council

5.7 All members of the Parish Council were invited to attend the public exhibition and were

invited via the Parish Clerk on 4 January 2016 at their Parish Council meeting.

5.8 In addition to this, members of the development team presented to the Parish Council’s

planning meeting on 9th February 2016 to provide a summary of the exhibition and to

answer any other questions that Councillors had, particularly if they were unable to attend

the exhibition.

Brewster Court Residents

5.9 During the leaflet distribution, a number of residents at Brewster Court, to the south of the

site were omitted. Brewster Court comprises independent units with warden control. The

distributor was asked by a resident not to deliver leaflets within the court. For this reason,

they were not all aware of the public exhibition. Given that they are directly affected by the

proposals, the project team arranged a visit to residents via the warden of the development

on Thursday 3rd March 2016, where they explained the proposals and answered any

questions that residents had about the proposed scheme.



6.0 SUMMARY

6.1 Prior to the submission of the previous application there was a substantial amount of

consultation with Council officers, key stakeholders and the local community. Although

these two applications seek to reapply for the same quantum of development and the same

uses, as a number of years have passed, it was considered appropriate to carry out another

public consultation event.

6.2 The event was well attended with 117 visitors although the written response rate was lower

with a total of 36 responses received from both the event and the leaflet drop to 2,000

properties.

6.3 From those who did engage we have understood that the concerns of residents remain

broadly the same as the previous consultation, in that there are objections to the number

and density of houses proposed on the site. This creates additional pressures on local

services and facilities such as the doctors and schools. Since permission was granted on

appeal in 2013 for this site, other sites in the village have also received planning permission

and this has led to a growing concern about the infrastructure of Blofield.

6.4 The consultation with the local community also identified a degree of ‘in principle’ support

for the proposed development. A number of residents were keen to ensure that the housing

mix of the site would include smaller properties for existing residents to downsize and that

the homes were adaptable for the elderly or disabled. The proposed improvements to

footpath and cycle links and the inclusion of a children’s play area were welcomed.

6.5 The key issues that were identified by the public consultation were in respect of the capacity

of the local school, doctors and road network to cope with the additional demands. These

issues are considered in detail in the supporting statements.

APPENDIX ONE

APPENDIX TWO

Email Invite to Stakeholders From: Sophie Pain Sent: 26 January 2016 To: Subject: Public Exhibition in Blofield on 5th February Dear Norfolk Fire and Rescue, I would like to invite you to our re-scheduled public exhibition to view our plans for a mixed use residential and employment scheme on Land at Yarmouth Road, Blofield, Norfolk The exhibition will be on Friday 5th February between 2 pm and 7:30 pm at the Courthouse in Blofield. Attached is a copy of the public consultation leaflet that provides some further information. I appreciate that you may not be able to attend the exhibition, but that you may wish to comment on the proposals. You can do this in the following ways:

Email to: [email protected]; or

Post to: Beacon Planning, 8 Quy Court, Colliers Lane, Stow-cum-Quy, Cambridge, CB25 9AU It would be appreciated if your comments could be received by 26th February 2016. These comments will be considered by the project team in preparing the applications. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the proposals then please contact me in the first instance and I will then ensure the most appropriate person can respond or arrange to meet you. Kind regards, Sophie Sophie Pain Senior Consultant

DD : 01223 810996 Mobile : 07718 565553

Beacon Planning Ltd 8 Quy Court, Colliers Lane, Stow-cm-Quy, Cambridge, CB25 9AU T: 01223 810990 www.beaconplanning.co.uk

An award-winning independent planning and heritage consultancy


http://www.beaconplanning.co.uk/

Consultation List for Public Exhibition

Stakeholder Notes

Broadland District Council

Case officer Case officer to notify relevant colleagues at Broadland District Council and Norfolk County Council of forthcoming exhibition and opportunity to comment.

Head of Planning (inc. policy)

Head of Housing and Environmental Services

Environmental Health

Norfolk County Council

Strategic Planning

Highways

Public Rights of Way Officer

Flood Team

Archaeology

Development Contributions inc. Education

Norfolk Fire and Rescue

Councillors

Parish Council - Clerk

Steven Ford [email protected]

Parish Council - Chair

Rob Christie [email protected]

Parish Council – vice chair

Nigel MacPherson

[email protected]

District Councillor Mr Chris Harrison

[email protected]

District Councillor Mr Frank O’Neill

[email protected]

County Councillor/Leader of BDC

Andrew Proctor

[email protected]

Deputy Leader of BDC

Stuart Clancy [email protected]

Others








Blofield Primary School

Mr O Burwood

[email protected]

Hemlington Primary School

Mrs C Edwards

[email protected]

Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

- [email protected]

Doctors Practice Manager

Blofield Library [email protected]

Natural England

- [email protected]

Norfolk Wildlife Trust

John Hiskett, Senior Conservation Officer

Bewick House 22 Thorpe Road Norwich NR1 1RY 01603 625540

Anglia Water - [email protected]

Environment Agency

Louisa Johnson

Police Architectural Liaison Officer

Mrs Bernie Lawless

[email protected]

NHS

Historic England - [email protected]

Campaign for Rural England

Groups Blofield Allotment Association

[email protected]

Blofield & District Conservation Group

[email protected]











APPENDIX THREE

Land for approvedpub and supermarket.To be excluded from application site.

KEY

Application Site

Land withinapplicant’s ownership.

0m 100m 200m 300m 400m 500m 600m 700m 800m

KEY

Route of existing gas main

55m from edge of A47 carriageway - limit for residential develop-ment

Public Right of ways

Existing garden boundaries

Noise from A47

Primary footpath links to village centre

Application Site

Pedestrian and cycle links only

Vehicular points of access

Settlement limit

SUSTAINABILITY

0m 100m 200m 300m 400m 500m 600m 700m 800m

8

910

1112

13

14

12

7

34

5

6

400m

5 minute walk

800m10 minute walk

SUSTAINABILITY

1 Court House2 The Kings Head Pub3 Bus stops 4 Shops5 Library6 Take away7 Primary School8 Health Centre9 Football Club10 Margaret Harker Hall11 Scout hut 12 Sports pitches and recreation ground13 Parish Church14 Pub/restaurant and supermarket (approved planning permission)

KEY

Application Site

Development Framework

Under Broadland District Council’s emerging Local Plan which is due to be adopted later in 2016 the site is allocated for this development i.e. up to a maximum of 175 dwellings and 4,000 sqm of of� ce space.

PS09-01Site Ref: PS09-01 Speci� c Policy. Land to the south of A47 and north of Yarmouth Road, Blo� eld approx. 9.9Ha) is to be developed in accordance with permission reference 20111303, for a mixed use development to deliver 175 dwellings, a maximum � oor space of 4,000m2 B1 Class Use and open space.

DeliveryIt is expected that development will commence within 3 to 5 years from the date of the permission. If the development is not progressing in accordance with this timescale the Speci�c Policy will no longer apply, and alternative sites may be considered to replace this.

Therefore, the uses are acceptable in principle given they are the same as the previous approval and meet the Council’s requirements.

© Crown copyright and database rights, 2016. Ordnance Survey 0100031673

Proximity of services and facilities plan

Broadland District Council’s Allocation Plan

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THE DEVELOPMENT

• New market and affordable housing;

• An increase of customers for existing shops, services and facilities;

• Creation of jobs on the employment site and during construction;

• New areas of open space and children’s play facilities;

• New footpaths and cycle ways that link with existing network;

A set of development principles have been established for the scheme:

• To effectively and ef� ciently use the site, whilst allowing a diversity of uses and building types to add visual interest and address local housing need;

• To integrate the new development into the village by respecting the local landscape and landform and by creating high quality, convenient and safe walking and cycling links to local facilities;

• To enhance the biodiversity of the site through new planting around the boundaries and within the open space and private gardens;

• To provide a clear de� nition between private and public space, ensuring that rear boundaries are

• A new landscaped edge to the western edge of Blo� eld;

• Ecological enhancement;

• Management of surface water on site to reduce the impact on the existing drainage network; and

• As before � nancial contributions will be made in line with Council requirements to offset the impact of new residents on facilities such as the doctors and schools.

secure and that houses are orientated to maximise the natural surveillance of streets, parking areas and play spaces;

• To create a clear hierarchy of streets, which is easily understood and is pedestrian and cycle friendly;

• To ensure street design provides adequate space for motor vehicles, but in a way that reduces vehicle speeds and does not allow parking to be dominant; and

• To create attractive outdoor spaces – streets and open space and to allow play space to be integrated into the development.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT TO BLOFIELD?

DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES

THE DEVELOPMENT

APPENDIX FOUR

LAND AT YARMOUTH ROAD, BLOFIELDPUBLIC CONSULTATION

Any other comments?

All responses from today’s exhibition will be considered by the project team in preparing the planning applications.

Please use this space below to let us have any other comments/ideas;

COMMENTS SHEET February 2016

Once completed please deposit this sheet in the comments box or alternatively you can post it to Beacon Planning, 8 Quy Court, Colliers Lane, Stow-cum-Quy, Cambridge, CB25 9AU or email [email protected].

We understand that you may wish to make your comments on these proposals in complete confi dence. However, it would help us to know your street so that we can address comments/views that may be received by a particular locality.

Comments to be received by 26th February 2016.

Street Name Postcode

APPENDIX FIVE



Key Theme Response Improvements to existing roads are needed. Sub-themes:

The impact of additional traffic on the Cucumber Lane roundabout;

The impact of traffic along Yarmouth Road;

The ability for future residents to exit the proposed development onto Yarmouth Road;

The proximity of two further accesses onto Yarmouth Road and their relationship to existing points of access; and

The impact of additional cars on the already heavily congested The Street.

To accompany this application a Transport Assessment has been prepared that includes a traffic survey from December 2015. In preparing this Transport Assessment, the transport consultants have engaged with Norfolk County Council and Highways England on the methodology used, the assessment and conclusions. The traffic survey has identified that the traffic flows along Yarmouth Road and at Cucumber Lane Roundabout are not materially different. As such, the conclusions are that providing the same package of mitigation measures are included in the proposals, (which they are) then the proposed development will have nil detriment to the local and strategic road network. Please refer to the Planning Statement and Transport Assessment for further analysis of the conclusions.

Concern regarding the capacity of existing local infrastructure. Sub-themes:

Concern regarding existing capacity at local health centre and primary school;

Additional pressure on utilities

The residential planning application will be assessed by the County Council as the Local Education Authority to assess the impact that the development would have on school places. As Broadland District Council have adopted CIL, if the County can identify a scheme where funding could be directed to, then the applicant would be required to financially contribute to support any extra capacity. A similar process is undertaken with NHS Property to determine the impact that the proposed development will have on services at the doctors surgery. The applications are accompanied by Utilities Statements which identify that there are no shortages in capacity following pre-development enquiries with all utilities companies. Where necessary, electrical substations and pumping stations have been suggested that will be considered at the detailed design stage.

Where are the children’s play facilities going to go?

The illustrative masterplan has been amended to illustrate that an area of children’s play equipment could be incorporated in the north west corner of the site. However, the final location of the playground, along with the pieces of equipment will be detailed as part of a reserved matters application. Consideration will be given to locating it where it is accessible to all residents of Blofield and where it has a good level of natural surveillance.



The density of the proposed development does not reflect the character of Blofield village.

The density does reflect other areas of Blofield, although it is acknowledged that the direct neighbours to the site, such as Brewster Court, do have a lower density by the very nature of being a development of bungalows. However, both local and national planning policy seek all development sites to make the most effective and efficient use of their site given the need to provide homes for the local population. The emerging allocation seeks up to 175 homes on this site and the previous application was granted permission at appeal for this number. Where constraints allow, the future layout of the site will be considered further to ensure that it respects the character of Blofield and responds positively to the neighbouring boundaries, particularly those that include residential properties. Densities may vary across the scheme to reflect this.

The design of future buildings should be in keeping with the existing village atmosphere

The design of the future development is a matter for a reserved matters application, but there are requirements for such an application to consider policies within local planning policy and by that time the Neighbourhood Plan to ensure that the design of the buildings is respectful of the character and appearance of Blofield.

The development needs to provide 33% affordable housing

Broadland District Council’s Local policy is that developments of this size should include 33% affordable housing. As can be seen from the supporting statements to the residential application, it is proposed to deliver 33% affordable housing on this site. The tenure split and size of units will be identified in discussion with the local authority at the time of the reserved matters application.

The mix of housing sizes and design should be varied and should include bungalows and adaptable housing for older & disabled residents

The mix of housing both in terms of size and design will be determined at the time of a reserved matters application in consultation with Broadland DC. In order to provide an interesting scheme, the variety comes from different designs and size of dwellings so this will be considered as will the requirements at the time for standards such as Lifetime Homes that will seek adaptable homes. The mix will need to be in line with Local Plan policy. The Neighbourhood Plan will be relevant to this.

The development should provide starter homes, there is a desperate need for 2 and 3 bed homes, not large family homes.

Please see above.

There should be no loss of agricultural land While the loss of agricultural land is regrettable, local planning policy does not seek to protect agricultural land



Specific Requests/Observations Response Request that no type of access is brought through Globe Court and that it should be via an existing gate to the north of Globe Court instead.

There would be no vehicle access through Globe Court. Following the consultation we have considered linking the pedestrian/cycle link to the existing footpath to the north of Globe Court. It was concluded that the proposed link via Globe Court would be a more direct and safer route for future users and therefore was unlikely to achieve the aim of providing a route to the north east into the existing village which would be used by residents.

Pleased to see footpath and cycle access retained across the site

Noted.

Can you make provision for active travel such as bike racks and shelters?

As part of the reserved matters application, details relating to cycle parking provision will be required and this will identify where residents cycle storage will be located along with spaces for visitors to both the residential and employment sites.

Any alteration to limit the on verge parking along Yarmouth Road would be helpful.

This is not land within the control of the applicant. It is owned by the Highway Authority. Nevertheless the proposals include the provision of a 3 m wide cycle and pedestrian footway along the frontage of the site. This will mean that the verge will be narrower than existing and so if vehicles were to park there in the future, they would be obstructing the highway. However, with this means that the existing vehicles will be displaced. The Highway Authority will need to discuss

from development. As part of the housing supply, Broadland identify that some of this will need to be delivered on greenfield land as there is simply not enough brownfield land. Hence the proposed allocation in the emerging Local Plan. The benefits of delivering housing are considered in this instance to override the need to protect the land for agricultural use.

The construction of the development will cause disruption to local residents, particularly those in Brewster Court.

It is acknowledged that the construction of a development will inevitably cause a disruption to those living nearby in the short term. However, in order to ensure that this is kept to a minimum, restrictions on working hours, delivery hours as well as a construction management plan that sets out where materials are stored, circulation routes around the site for heavy vehicles and the parking areas for construction works will all be considered to ensure that it minimises disruption to nearby residents. All of this will be subject to condition.



this with the business responsible for the parking to ensure alternative arrangements are made that do not simply move the problem on elsewhere.

Ensure that there is footpath and cycle path access to the central village and its services and facilities

The proposals do incorporate a number of routes for pedestrians and cyclist only routes particularly on the eastern boundary of the site. There will also be improvements made to the footway to the front of the site to encourage people to walk and cycle to the shops and facilities in Blofield.

Ensure the development has adequate off road parking

At the time of the reserved matters application, a car parking layout will need to be shown to demonstrate that Norfolk’s Parking Standards can be applied. The indicative layout does seek to use those standards in order to demonstrate that the proposed number of properties can be accommodated along with all the other requirements such as car parking.

Footpaths and pavements should be wide enough for prams & wheelchairs and the roads wide enough for two vehicles.

The proposal is for the road network to be adopted by the Highway Authority and therefore the road and footways will be designed to adoptable standard. These include such requirements and will be detailed further at the time of a reserved matters application.

Need to acknowledge the well used footpaths which link into the Public Rights of Way across the site. These need to be preserved and enhanced.

The indicative masterplan has been amended to identify these well used routes which would be retained.

Additional green space and footpaths will be a bonus.

Noted.

Monies from developers need to be confirmed up front to enable schools to plan.

As part of the planning application, the County Council will identify any contributions that will be required for the purposes of the school. This will be identified at the first possible opportunity.

Consider providing funds to Blofield Library. The collection of financial contributions via CIL can be directed towards library provision where it is identified as being necessary.

Developers need to consult with the schools at an early stage so that we can work together.

As part of the pre-application process, the applicant has engaged with the Headteacher and Governors. However, in order to identify any capacity concerns, the applicant does need to discuss with the Local Education Authority and this will happen as part of the residential planning application.

Does the 3D visuals depict all 175 dwellings? They do.

Would like to know that commencement of development is imminent not 3-5 years away

If permission is granted for this scheme, then there is a further application that needs to be made to approve



the details of the scheme. With all being well, the earliest that construction could start would be summer 2017, but the timetable is dependent on a number of other commercial factors too.

There is only one bus route and this goes along The Street, not Yarmouth Road

This has been corrected in the application submission.

The football club is only used for the football club, not general use

Noted.

There are no recreational facilities in Blofield other than 2 small areas next to Margaret Harker Hall.

Noted.

Can we have a Waitrose and a foodie pub with a small indoor play area?

These planning applications do not relate to the supermarket or pub/restaurant site. They are under a different planning permission and at present as far as we are aware, no operators have been identified for the site as yet.

STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT STATEMENT LAND … · MARCH 2016. Beacon Planning Limited 8 Quy...

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Transcript of STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT STATEMENT LAND … · MARCH 2016. Beacon Planning Limited 8 Quy...