A partnership of councils across Norfolk is today calling on the Government to rethink plans for an eco-town on the former RAF base at Coltishall. The Greater Norwich Development Partnership (GNDP) is proposing an alternative new development at Rackheath, in Broadland to the north east of Norwich. Not only could this development be built to zero carbon eco-town standards, it could proceed in a way that complies with formal planning regulations so that local people are fully consulted.
The leaders of the councils that make up the GNDP have today made their case to Government in a letter to housing Minister Caroline Flint MP. The Rackheath development is part of a series of proposals currently being examined by technical experts. It will be put to local people in a full public consultation next year.
Broadland District Council Leader Simon Woodbridge said:
“The North East sector is an area which has been identified as an area for planned and managed growth and Rackheath is a part of this. We would want any houses planned to be as carbon neutral as possible for environmental reasons and also to keep fuel bills affordable for the generations of families we hope will live in them. The most important next step now is to talk to local residents about how they would like to see their community grow and develop. We are looking forward and planning for the long term needs of our communities. Managed growth needs to be sustainable and well thought through with jobs and infrastructure to support any growth.”
Norwich City Council Leader Steve Morphew said:
“Rackheath is a much better option than Coltishall for meeting the Governments eco-town objectives. It is better prepared to shoulder new infrastructure and the local landowners are ready for development. Most importantly, the plans are already going through a comprehensive, rigorous and democratic planning process, so local people will be fully involved along the way.”
The proposed Rackheath development is included in proposals for new housing growth that are being put out for technical consultation this week. It is incorporated in a public information leaflet being delivered to all residents.
The letter to the Housing Minister details a number of features that make the Rackheath area a viable option for zero carbon development:
• the site is being promoted for development by a consortia of landowners, which provides certainty that the plans will be delivered
• the site is included in all three options that are being considered for comprehensive development within the strategic planning framework for the area
• in accordance with strategic planning objectives, the site lends itself to being serviced by improved public transport corridors
• the site is in close proximity to an operational railway line, with station access
• the site is in close proximity to existing and planned areas for employment growth
• the site is well located for access to the retail and cultural offer of Norwich
• the general location has already been subject to public consultation through the issues and options stage of the joint core strategy process
However, the plans could only go ahead with the support of Government funding for the necessary infrastructure developments.
Councillor John Fuller, leader of South Norfolk Council, said:
"If the Government wants to see an eco-town, and Rackheath is considered suitable, then it must fund the infrastructure to provide it, and that includes the Northern Distributor Road. That's the deal Norfolk people would expect us to agree and which they would support. They should not be short-changed on this."
The planned development in Rackheath is dependent on the construction of the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NDR). The GNDP recognises that 10% of the costs for this must come from local contributions, but the bulk of funding will have to come from Government schemes to support growth.
Norfolk County Council Leader Daniel Cox said:
“Rackheath is a realistic alternative to the Coltishall eco-town, but will only be made possible if Government support is forthcoming. They’ve made a good start by short listing GNDP for Community Infrastructure Funding, but this tacit approval will need to turn into a firm commitment if we are to make this development opportunity a success.”
