North Norfolk Core Strategy Approved

Affordable homes, provision for coastal erosion and eco-standards take high priority

An Inspector's report has found the Core Strategy, the blueprint for new development in North Norfolk over the next 10 -15 years, "sound". This is one of about 30 Core Strategies approved across England (out of over 400 planning authorities preparing Core Strategies). It is the first new style district council plan to be accepted in Norfolk. North Norfolk is only the sixth district in the East of England to have a 'sound' Core Strategy and just the second in England to have a combined Core Strategy and Development Control Policies plan.

The Core Strategy policies allow for most new development to take place in the main towns and larger villages in the district. The market towns of Cromer, Fakenham and North Walsham are identified for retail growth, and a large urban extension is proposed to the north west of Fakenham, inside the bypass. Housing development may be phased until sewerage treatment capacity or electricity supply is provided in many locations.

New private housing development will be restricted in rural areas, but the Inspector has instructed the Council to reconsider the proposed policy on barn conversions and in the meantime retain the local plan policy on re-use of buildings in the countryside. All new housing developments over 10 dwellings in the towns and in Hoveton, will have to provide 45% affordable housing, and in the villages, for developments of two or more, half will need to be affordable.

The plan calls for high eco-standards for new homes, and by 2013 all new homes should be achieving level 4 on the Government's code for sustainable homes.

The Inspector accepted the use of a Coastal Erosion Restraint Area, to restrict development in areas at risk from coastal erosion, and the policy to allow for relocation and replacement of development affected by coastal erosion.

The plan will be adopted formally by the Full Council on 24 September 2008 and it will then replace the Local Plan, which was adopted in 1998. North Norfolk District Council is now in the process of preparing the next plan, called the Site Specific Proposals, which will deal with the actual development sites to bring forward the housing and employment numbers outlined in the Core Strategy