Following presentation of proposals at public exhibitions on 6th and 7th October, Beyond Green have today submitted an Outline Planning Application for North Sprowston and Old Catton (NS&OC).
Proposals include:
- up to 3,520 homes of mixed size, tenure and type including up to 33% ‘affordable’ homes;
- up to 16,800m² of business and employment space including adaptable office buildings, incubators, workshops and studios for small businesses and start-ups and an enterprise ‘hub’ supporting micro-companies and homeworkers – creating 1,000 local jobs by the time the development is completed;
- up to 8,800m² of retail and services development providing for shops, banks, cafés, restaurants, pubs and other essential local services to meet local people’s daily needs in a traditional high street setting;
- sites for two new primary schools and up to 2,000m² of community space including two community halls, a health centre and library;
- up to 1,000m² for up to two small hotels or guesthouses;
- easy access to public transport and streets designed to make walking and cycling the most convenient modes of transport;
- over 80 hectares of green space including a major new public park at Beeston Park, three recreation grounds, allotments and community gardens, with 40% of the site, not including private gardens, becoming accessible green space; and
- a very low-carbon decentralised energy network, plus infrastructure to manage water resources sustainably.
Jonathan Smales, Executive Chairman of the Beyond Green Group, said “we’re delighted to be submitting this outline planning application for a superb new extension to Sprowton and Old Catton. If the proposals in this application are granted consent, we want to work with people in Broadland to deliver a place that helps us to achieve the highest quality of life with the lowest environmental footprint.
“Future residents will enjoy a range of housing types and tenures that are affordable to local people; a stunning park consisting of the restored historic landscape of Beeston Park (currently inaccessible, privately-farmed arable fields) with Red Hall Farm; two new primary schools and community spaces; and a place where it will be easiest as well as most pleasant to move around for everyday journeys on foot and by bicycle.
“We have been greatly encouraged by the way in which people in Broadland have been prepared to commit their expertise, local knowledge and time to working with us to explore opportunities for NS&OC. We had a great turnout at the exhibitions last week, with over 230 members of the public and over 70 stakeholders attending the events. This input will continue to be invaluable should this project proceed; now that the application has been submitted we will renew our efforts to engage and involve, looking for people to input into proposals and for those who want to become actively involved in the delivery of this development.”
Beyond Green’s application will be considered by Broadland District Council in the context of the Joint Core Strategy (JCS) for Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk, adopted in March 2011, which provides for the development of 33,000 homes within the ‘Norwich Policy Area’ between 2008 and 2026.
The application site is within the Broadland ‘Growth Triangle’ proposed for at least 7,000 dwellings by 2026 rising to at least 10,000 after 2026. In February 2012 following a legal challenge the High Court remitted policies relating to the Growth Triangle for further consultation and sustainability appraisal, and revised draft policies are currently undergoing public consultation. Reflecting the importance of the plan-making process, Beyond Green has requested that Broadland District Council does not determine the planning application until the outcome of this further work is clear and the JCS is re-adopted, probably in spring 2013.
The full NS&OC Outline Planning Application including technical appendices can be viewed on the Beyond Green website. Once the application has been validated by Broadland District Council, they will conduct a formal consultation inviting comments on the proposals, which will be available on their website (www.broadland.gov.uk) and to view in person at the Broadland District Council offices and at Sprowston Diamond Centre. Beyond Green hope that as many people as possible will provide their comments; we welcome all comments, positive and negative, and are keen to see as many viewpoints as possible represented in the response.
Further details can be found in the Notes to Editors accompanying this press release. If you would like to receive updates on NS&OC, please email nsoc@beyondgreen.co.uk asking to be added to our mailing list.