Issues
Planning Applications
CPRE Norfolk has a long history of using the planning system to influence development. We study planning lists in each of the local district authorities and make formal responses where proposed developments are deemed to threaten the countryside. We may also write in support of a particular planning application, for example, where a development is of good design, meets local need and is sensitively located. We have excellent working relationships with planning officers, who are often keen to hear our views, and we regularly attend meetings of local development control boards. Examples of recent planning responses are downloadable below.
Download <Responding To Planning Applications - CPRE Guide>
Download <Energy-from-Waste Plant Response Jul 11>
Download <Letter to Norfolk County Council on proposed Energy-from-Waste Plant Mar 11>
Download <Letter to North Norfolk Councillors on Sheringham Supermarket Proposals Oct 10>
Download <PPS4 Critique and Sheringham Case Study>
Download <Cromer Coastal Strategy Study - CPRE Norfolk response July 10>
Download <Letter to Secretary of State on Postwick Interchange Orders Jan 10>
Download <Request to Go-East - Article 14 Direction on Postwick Hub application Dec 09>
Download <Sheringham - Tesco Application Response Sept 09>
Download <Wramplingham - Electricity Substation Proposal Comment Jun 09>
Download <Broadland Gate Business Park and Postwick Hub Application Response Feb 09>
Rackheath Eco-Town
The Government has announced a final shortlist of four eco-towns that it would like to see built in England in the near future, including a site at Rackheath in Norfolk. The Rackheath eco-town will border the existing small village of Rackheath and its industrial estate and will swell the existing population by up to 10,000 people. Although CPRE Norfolk welcomes the stated commitment to energy-efficiency, affordable housing and employment opportunities, we are not convinced that building a new town is the only way to achieve it. Further, according to local councils, delivery of the eco-town is dependent on the Northern Distributor Route, thus completely discrediting the carbon cutting credentials of the scheme.
Download <CPRE Norfolk Response to the Rackheath Eco-Town Sustainability Appraisal Consultation>
Download <CPRE Response to the Eco-Towns PPS Consultation>
Local Development Frameworks - Greater Norwich
Norwich City Council, Broadland District Council and South Norfolk District Council are working together with Norfolk County Council on plans to provide new housing, jobs and infrastructure in the Greater Norwich area to 2026. CPRE Norfolk has responded to consultations on a Joint Core Strategy for the area and highlighted the impacts on the local countryside. Whilst we recognise the need for affordable new homes, new jobs in local communities and improvements to public transport systems, the planned level of greenfield development will change the character of the county irredeemably.
Download <Letter to Norfolk MPs on Local Democracy: Mar 2011>
Download <CPRE Norfolk Response to the Pre-Examination-in-Public Inspector's Questions: Sept 2010>
Download <Letter from Local Environmental Groups Seeking Withdrawal of JCS: Aug 2010>
Download <CPRE Norfolk Response to the Focussed Changes Consultation: August 2010>
Northern Distributor Route
Norfolk County Council have submitted a bid to Government for the Norwich Northern Distributor Route - a new four lane highway which will connect with the Southern Bypass at Postwick and travel around the East and North of the City towards the Wensum Valley. The NDR will have significant impacts on the local countryside and increase our car dependency in an age of peak oil and committed carbon reduction. CPRE Norfolk have argued against the need for the road for many years and are seeking to divert investment into a first class public transport system for the county.
Download <CPRE Norfolk Response to the Norwich Area Transport Strategy Consultation Nov 09>
Download <CPRE Norfolk and NNTAG Critique of the NDR Business Case Feb 09>
Wind Farms
CPRE Norfolk recognises that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing mankind today and has the potential to change the Norfolk coastline and inland countryside significantly. As well addressing energy demand, CPRE Norfolk recognises that generating new supplies of energy from renewable sources is an essential part of the solution. Nevertheless, we are concerned about the cumulative impact of wind farms onshore and will not support schemes where the impact on the landscape, wildlife and biodiversity is considered too detrimental. Recent planning responses on wind farms are downloadable below.
Download <Responding to Wind Farm Planning Applications - CPRE Norfolk Guide>
Download <Cumulative Impact Maps - Aug 2011>
Download <Jack's Lane - Wind Farm Application Response Oct 2010>
Download <Chiplow - Wind Farm Application Response July 2010>
Download <Chiplow - Wind Farm Application Response - Supporting Information July 2010>
Download <Ingham - Wind Farm Application Response Nov 09>
Local Development Frameworks - Other
All district councils in Norfolk are currently reviewing their local planning policies, in line with recent changes to the planning system and the Regional Plan for the East of England. While those councils in the Greater Norwich area are working together to on a Joint Strategy for the wider area (see above), other councils have a different set of local challenges. CPRE Norfolk has taken a strong interest in the Local Development Framework consultations for the councils of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk, Great Yarmouth and Breckland. Some recent consultation responses are below.
Download <CPRE Norfolk Response to the NCC Minerals and Waste LDF Consultation Dec 09>
Download <CPRE Norfolk Response to the Breckland Core Strategy LDF Consultation Feb 09>
Light Pollution and Street Lighting
Satellite maps have shown how dark skies are disappearing from our landscapes as levels of artificial light in urban and rural areas increase. In Norfolk, over a quarter of the land area experienced significant increases in levels of light pollution between 1993 and 2000, and truly dark skies are now only visible in 12% of the county. CPRE Norfolk are working with lighting decision makers such as Norfolk County Council, Norfolk Constabulary, Norfolk Property Services and Amey to ensure that the highest standard of fully shielded white lighting is applied to all new developments and street lighting replacement schemes. We also monitor planning applications across Norfolk for lighting and work closely with parish councils on lighting issues.
Download <Responding to Planning Applications on Lighting - Suggested Wording from CPRE Norfolk>
Download <Snettisham - Tapping House Lighting Comment Jun 09>
Download <Lighting in the Broads - CPRE Norfolk Submission for the Broads Authority Mar 05>
Download <Light Pollution Survey of Parish and Town Councils 2003>
Regional Spatial Strategy and Review
The East of England Regional Plan was published in May 2007 and committed Norfolk councils to deliver 80,000 new homes by 2021. CPRE Norfolk played a lead role in the environmental objections to the Plan and our views were heard at the Plan’s Examination in Public. A review of the Plan is currently underway and four scenarios for further sustained growth in the region have been consulted upon. CPRE Norfolk believes that the level of growth proposed is both unsustainable and undeliverable and that a much greater emphasis should be placed on establishing the environmental capacity of the county to accommodate growth and the urgent need to reduce carbon.
Download <CPRE Norfolk Response to the Regional Housing Scenarios Consultation Dec 09>
Download <CPRE East Response to the Regional Housing Scenarios Consultation Dec 09>
Download <CPRE Norfolk Response to the East of England Plan Consultation May 05>
Download <CPRE East Response to the East of England Plan Consultation May 05>