The Built and Historic Environment

The Greater Norwich area has numerous heritage assets. Consequently, the historic environment is central to the character and quality of life of the Greater Norwich area and is a significant factor in its economic success through encouraging tourism and inward investment. Conserving and enhancing the historic environment will continue to reinforce what makes Greater Norwich an attractive place to live in, work and visit.

As well as the historic assets that are easily visible, there are also those that are hidden below ground.  As a long settled and productive area, Greater Norwich  has a significant archaeological heritage which development can help to reveal.

As such, it is important to recognise that the historic character of the area is made up of a multitude of heritage assets. Individually, some may be more important than others, but even the lesser ones are important in contributing to overall character and quality.  All the different elements of the historic environment need to be taken into consideration and conserved and enhanced where possible as part of the development of the area.  Guidance for this can be obtained through a wide range of existing resources, such as landscape character assessments, conservation area appraisals, listed building and scheduled ancient monuments information and archaeological records; but it  is usually necessary to undertake a heritage impact assessment in accordance with guidelines produced by Historic England and local validation requirements to understand the impact of a proposal on the significance of a heritage asset. This would include the impact of development on the setting of a heritage asset, which can contribute to its significance, and can be undermined by proposals that have substantial mass or height that contrasts with neighbouring historic buildings and the wider area.

The strategic approach to heritage is first to consider the potential location of development, for example does the location itself “fit” well in relation to adjoining settlements, and does it avoid intruding in important views of historic assets?  This is addressed through the growth strategy set out in policy 1.

Following from this, the design of the development needs to respect the historic environment, be appropriate to its setting, seek to enhance the locality and provide measures to further the understanding of local heritage issues. Development should therefore draw upon existing historic character to lead to more positive change in the built and historic environment.

In certain cases, an element of harm to the historic environment resulting from development  may be unavoidable: but this will only be justified if the benefits of the development outweigh the harm, and the harm is kept to a minimum, taking into account the relative importance of the heritage assets in accordance with national policy.

The policy also includes a flexible approach to the use of historic assets to achieve their retention whilst retaining their historic significance, and in this respect particular encouragement will be given to proposals for restoring those assets that are at risk of being lost. Historic significance potentially covers a broad range of issues such as artistic, aesthetic, architectural, cultural and social considerations. 

The Greater Norwich Green Infrastructure Study provides information on designated Historic Environment assets in relation to green infrastructure provision (see paragraph 223 below).