Policy 7.3 The Key Service Centres

371

The Key Service Centres of Acle, Blofield, Brundall, Hethersett, Hingham, Loddon / Chedgrave, Poringland / Framingham Earl, Reepham and Wroxhamprovide 3,679 homes, around 7% of the proposed housing growth.  This reflects the settlement hierarchy and is made up of significant existing commitments, with additional sites allocated through this plan in the locations with the best opportunities for further growth and the fewest constraints.

372

The Key Service Centres have a relatively good range of services, access to public transport and employment opportunities and play a vital role in serving the rural areas.  This role is intended to continue with development taking place at appropriate levels.

373

High amounts of existing commitments and environmental and infrastructure constraints limit the potential for additional housing growth through this plan at Blofield, Brundall, Poringland / Framingham Earl and Reepham. Traffic constraints and proximity to the Broads at Wroxham restrict growth.

374

The focus of additional housing growth identified through this plan is therefore at Acle, Hethersett, Hingham and Loddon / Chedgrave.

375

Acle has been identified for additional growth on well-located sites which will provide a link road to the west of the village. The village has a good range of services including a secondary school. It also has good bus and rail services and is strategically located between Norwich and Great Yarmouth to benefit from employment growth, including in the offshore energy sector.

376

Hethersett is close to Norwich and within the Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor. It has a range of services including a secondary school and good access to other services, with good public transport links to Norwich and Wymondham. It also has good access to employment opportunities at a range of strategic and more local sites. As a result, major development is committed to the north and west of the village and additional growth identified through this plan will be delivered through uplift within the existing allocation. Strategic gaps identified through this plan and detailed in development management policies between Wymondham and Hethersett, focussed on Kett’s Oak, and Hethersett and Cringleford, aim to prevent the settlements joining up. 

377

Hingham has limited existing commitment, a range of services and employment, good public transport links and is well located to benefit from additional employment opportunities in the Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor. The two additional allocations to the east and west of the village, which provide for 100 homes, both have good access to services and public transport.

378

Loddon / Chedgrave has a good range of services, good public transport links and is well located between Norwich and Lowestoft to benefit from employment growth, including in the offshore energy sector.  Additional growth is allocated on one site to the north of Chedgrave and on another to the south-east of Loddon.

379

In line with other policies in this plan, windfall sites will be limited to locations within and, for very small developments limited to 3 to 5 homes, adjacent to settlement boundaries.