Colney (Strategic Employment Area) and Bawburgh (Country Park)

3.1

Colney is a small village, but the parish is a strategic employment location in the urban fringe (Policy 7.1), including parts of the Norwich Research Park (NRP), the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and the Spire hospital. Colney is situated on the B1108 close to the A47.  The River Yare forms the parish boundary with Norwich City, therefore some areas are prone to fluvial and surface water flood issues and ecological sensitivity.  The parish is also partially covered by landscape policies protecting the setting of the A47 Norwich Southern Bypass and the river valley landscape, as well as being a gateway to the city. 

3.2

The strategic objective is to reinforce the continued growth of the NRP.  Whilst the allocations cover land adjacent to the existing NRP institutes and the NNUH, the ‘wider NRP’ makes refence to the relationship with the adjoining University of East Anglia campus.

3.3

The policies limit uses primarily to Use Class E(gii) i.e. research and development, studios, laboratories and high tech, plus hospital related development.  Ancillary and complementary uses will also be acceptable, so long as they are supportive of and essential to the core functions of the NRP and remain ancillary.  Potential uses include: recuperative and respite care; education and training facilities; conference facilities for knowledge transfer; short stay accommodation; cafes/restaurants; and supporting business infrastructure e.g. legal and banking services. General offices, manufacturing, storage, distribution and other uses not connected with research and development will not be acceptable.

3.4

Colney is part of the catchment for Little Melton Primary School, but it is geographically separated from Little Melton by the A47, and consequently market housing potential is likely to be limited.  There are no allocations for market housing although there is a total of 4 additional dwellings with planning permission on small sites giving a total deliverable housing commitment for Colney of 4 homes between 2018-2038 (not counting the Colney Hall allocation).  There are carried forward allocations for employment and a water based Country Park at Bawburgh as well as a new allocation at Colney Hall where a unique opportunity presents to provide older people’s accommodation, as well as showcasing and furthering knowledge and research about well-being in later life.

3.5

All Site Allocations are expected to address standard requirements associated with development.  These vary from place to place, but are likely to include mitigations for flood risk (as well as SUDs), highways improvements, safeguarding of minerals resources, land remediation, measures to protect the environment, biodiversity, and landscape intrusion.

Settlement Map

Colney settlement map