2.249
The site was allocated in the previous Local Plan but has not yet been developed. The principle of development on the site has already been accepted, and it is expected that development will take place within the new local plan time-period up to 2038. The site is re-allocated for residential development with the option of development or redevelopment for community uses. As an existing allocation it has been considered in the calculation of the housing requirement.
2.250
This site of 0.8 hectares is presently occupied by educational and employment uses, housed in mainly single storey prefabricated buildings. The site also includes car parking and greenhouses.
2.251
The A140 Ipswich Road, which forms a main arterial route to the city, is to the east of the site. Housing is set back from the road opposite the site.
2.252
The steeply sloped publicly accessible former chalk works of Danby Wood County Wildlife Site and Local Nature Reserve are to the west of the site, with an additional small open space to the south, which includes a Roadside Nature Reserve. These and the allocation site form part of the Yare Valley.
2.253
A footpath accessing Danby Wood and Park runs along the northern border of the site. The publicly accessible Danby Park is to the north-west. A former petrol filling station site is to the north on which site buildings have been cleared, with the site currently operating as a car wash facility.
2.254
Access onto Ipswich Road needs careful and appropriate design and an additional pedestrian crossing point will be required as part of redevelopment to enhance pedestrian access across Ipswich Road to the site. To ensure site safety the redevelopment shall include a single point of access and be suitably designed and laid out to ensure servicing and turning of vehicles within the site to avoid conflict with the main A140.
2.255
Design should reflect the site’s location as a ‘gateway’ on a major road into Norwich. The presence of trees in and around the site must be taken into account in the design of the development. Development should also be landscaped to reflect its setting adjacent to green spaces in the Yare Valley. The design of the development should also enhance the setting of the footpath to the north of the site which provides access to the valley. The southern edge of the site should be designed as a transition space between green space and any new built form to reduce visual impact on the river valley. Opportunities for additional public access and suitable links through the site should be investigated as well as the potential to link with land to the north to enable that site’s potential re-use.
2.256
The development should be designed to minimise noise for future residents from the A140 and commercial uses, which will include adequate screening of the site and setting development back from the road.
2.257
Since the site is adjacent to former chalk workings and may have been subject to contamination, ground conditions and contamination surveys will be required to inform the design of development.
2.258
The site is likely to accommodate at least 15 homes if developed for residential purposes.
Policy R2
Ipswich Road Community Hub, 120 Ipswich Road, Norwich (approx. 0.78ha) is allocated for residential development which may be provided either as general needs housing or purpose-built accommodation for older people or people with special needs. Development consolidating and expanding the existing community support and educational facilities on site will also be acceptable. If developed for residential purposes the site is expected to accommodate a minimum of 15 homes.
The development will achieve the following site-specific requirements:
- Achievement of a high quality, locally distinctive design of a scale and form which reflects its prominent gateway location at the southern approach to Norwich.
- Development should protect the setting of the adjacent County Wildlife site at Danby Wood, the informal open space at Danby Park and the ecological interest of the roadside nature reserve to the south.
- Potential ground stability issues should be addressed in the design and configuration of new development, with scope for the use of building types employing lightweight modular construction.
- High quality green infrastructure, landscaping, planting and biodiversity enhancements should be provided as an integral part of the design of the scheme.
- A pedestrian link should be provided through the site to connect to the Yare Valley Walk and provision should be made for the improvement and enhancement of the existing footpath along its northern boundary;
- Vehicular access into the site should be provided from Ipswich Road, designed to minimise impact on the free flow of vehicular traffic and contributing to necessary highway and pedestrian safety improvements including a new pedestrian crossing point.
Policy Map
