Attleborough Neighbourhood Plan

Welcome to this consultation on the Attleborough Neighbourhood Plan (ANP). The ANP is being produced by a Steering Group and the purpose of this consultation is to provide you with an overview of the process of producing the ANP, give you a broad outline of the Steering Group’s conclusions and offer you the opportunity to comment on its findings.

Background
Attleborough has been designated as a growth town by the Planning Authority of Breckland Council, with plans to build 4,000 new homes over the period 2016 – 2036, which could mean a population increase of approximately 10,000 people. These houses are likely to be in addition to almost 1,500 new homes approved by Breckland Council since 2001. The result will be that by 2036 Attleborough will have more than doubled in size and it will need the jobs, infrastructure and services to support this growth.

What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
The ANP provides a vision for the future of the town and sets out clear objectives and planning policies to realise the vision. The ANP gives local communities the power to influence how development should take place in their area. It is a planning policy document and forms part of a set of documents that will be part of a local authority planning policy. There is a legal framework to abide by and the ANP requires a supporting evidence base for the town’s needs.

Why does Attleborough need a Neighbourhood Plan?
Attleborough Town Council was concerned that delays in producing a clear policy for the proposed large-scale developments in Attleborough would result in more houses but without the infrastructure and services to support the increase in population.

The 2012 Localism Bill gave communities the opportunity to have more say in how development should take place. The Town Council decided to take advantage of these new powers by producing a Neighbourhood Plan.

What will the ANP cover?
The ANP will look at development in the town across 7 themes;

Theme 1 The Local Economy.

Theme 2 Housing.

Theme 3 Transport and Communication.

Theme 4 Education and Learning.

Theme 5 Health and Social Care.

Theme 6 Sports, Leisure and Community Facilities.

Theme 7 Environment, Sustainability and Design.

CO 1 To view the town as one area, with strong links and connections to its hinterland and beyond.

CO 2 To preserve and enhance the heritage assets of Attleborough and their settings, especially in the historic centre of the town, and its history.

CO 3 To identify new employment land which can be developed and to encourage new Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to the town in order to provide a wide range of employment opportunities.

CO 4 To promote the integration of businesses and Attleborough Academy Norfolk as partners in reducing the local employability skills gap.

CO 5 To integrate the new housing with facilities in the town with the necessary footpath and cycle ways and addressing traffic congestion in the town centre, and sustainable connections to the rest of the region.

CO 6 To provide housing which meets the needs of all, with a range of housing including affordable, ‘older living’ residences and housing types which will encourage entrepreneurs and professional people to live in the community.

CO 7 To provide excellent health and community facilities within the town, including a single integrated health and social care facility.

CO 8 To provide excellent new and improved sport and leisure facilities for the community, working with Attleborough Academy Norfolk and sport and community clubs and organisations.

CO 9 To promote all new buildings to incorporate the highest standards of design, new build methodology, materials and energy saving techniques.

CO 10 To protect and enhance the natural environment, including additional high-quality open space, enhanced biodiversity including integrating existing and new wildlife habitats.

CO 11 To promote and enhance the town to attract investors, developers and visitors by building on its heritage.

4.2.1 Mini-Vision – The planned growth will be driven by new economic and employment investment to support a range of industry and services maximising current business innovation and transport links, including advanced engineering, research and development, food production and agriculture. New retail outlets and expanding education, health and social care will provide jobs and help establish the town as a predominately self-sustaining community.

Objective LE1
To support and develop allocation of land for new employment and to continue to review further requirements.

Policy LE. P1
The creation of a business park, for B1 and B2 uses, within the Area of Search identified on the Policies Map and shown as Site A on Figure 4, will be supported subject to it comprising a high-quality parkland environment in keeping with the local character; and providing space for small and medium sized enterprises.