Planning for North Norfolk’s future

Last night I attended Northrepps Parish Council and heard about plans for a near 300 home development on the edge of the Parish between Norwich Road and Burnt Hills in Cromer. The planning application has not been made yet and there will be a public meeting – probably in September – when things have progressed further. Planning applications are decided by the District Council but the County Council has a voice on issues like the provision of roads and school places.

North Norfolk District Council has also started to decide where building should be allowed over the next twenty years as it draws up a new Local Plan. The government wants more than 400 homes a year to be built in the District, but the Liberal Democrats want to make sure local people can find a place to live.

Over the next 12 months local people have the chance to shape how they want their local area to grow over the next 20 years. Following the District Council’s allocation of £2.4 million from the Community Housing Fund, areas with high levels of second homes have the opportunity to provide affordable housing for residents who want to stay local. Parish Councils are currently in consultation with NNDC to identify potential plots of land or appropriate houses to purchase for local residents to occupy.

As well as allocating space for building affordable homes, the new Local Plan also provides communities with the opportunity to protect areas that have special local meaning. This could be places where children play, where residents walk their dogs, or go and sit quietly for some respite from a busy day.

Local Green Spaces are currently being identified by Parish Councils, so if you have a space which is special to you and you want it protecting, please make sure your Parish or District Councillors are aware.