Local Plan shaping how house-building in West Norfolk will take place is formally adopted

A plan setting out how development in West Norfolk will be shaped over the coming years has been formally adopted.

The Local Plan is a comprehensive document that sets out how and where housing development should take place, along with the transport and other infrastructure needed to support it.

It was formally adopted last night when members voted to approve it at West Norfolk Council’s full meeting.

Cllr Jim Moriarty, the borough council’s cabinet member for planning and licensing, said: “This Plan has been years in the making and I am delighted that it has now been formally adopted.

“We estimate that getting to this point has taken in excess of 175,000 officer hours of research, analysis, planning and more.

“It has been a huge piece of work but necessary because the Local Plan will govern so many council decisions. The Government tells us how many homes we need to build – our Local Plan says where, when and how we’re going to deliver them.

“But this Local Plan is not just about hitting ‘housing targets’, it is about ensuring we build ‘homes’. Homes that are safe, homes that respect our heritage and homes that are built mindful of climate change and flood risk.

“I’d like to thank all those involved from our staff, to councillors from several different administrations, to the public who have supported many consultations on different aspects of the plan.”

Some of the key points in the new Local Plan include:

• The identification of sites to help deliver the 10,500 new homes needed up to 2040, with policies to ensure the right infrastructure and community facilities are provided, too. This includes the provision of up to 4,000 new homes in the West Winch Growth Area.

• Economic growth is primarily focused on Lynn and Downham. This includes a new 20-hectare employment site allocation at the Bexwell Business Park.

• Policies for affordable and specialist homes, including for older people and those with specialist care, adaptability and accessibility needs, as well as custom and self-build homes.

• Polices on climate change and open space to make the borough “healthier and greener for everyone”.

Government planning inspectors have been assessing the plan for nearly three years, during which time the borough council has provided additional information and undertaken further consultation to support its evidence base, and made some modifications in light of this.

They have now issued their final report, in which they have agreed that the plan is “sound” – meaning they agree it is based on reliable evidence and can legally be adopted as the basis for planning decisions.

It remains unclear exactly how the Local Plan will function when the borough council is abolished for devolution, with new authorities set to be created covering larger areas.

However, it appears likely this Plan will be passed onto whichever new authority covers West Norfolk.