Government adviser Natural England has informed Norfolk councils that they should not grant design permits for overnight projects until it proves that they will not lead to more nutrients flowing on the waterways. This means that programs for new homes, dormitories, nursing homes and campsites can not be implemented until pollution prevention measures are taken. No design application for housing can be approved within the Wensum River Basin. – Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018 And, still unable to do so, the councils suspended licensing in the Wensum and Broads catchments. Designs that have already been approved can still be made. Every council in Norfolk – and the Broads Authority – has been affected to varying degrees by the announcement of Natural England. In Norwich, the city council says that means new planning applications for housing cannot be approved at this time anywhere within the city limits, as the entire area is in the Broads and Wensum catchments. Possibly, this could affect the licensing of a number of large applications, at a time when extremely new and affordable housing is needed. For example, plans are underway to renovate Anglia Square, including more than 1,000 homes. England Square, Norwich – Credit: Sonya Duncan In Great Yarmouth, North Norfolk, South Norfolk, Broadland and Breckland, no plans can be made for projects involving overnight stays within the Wensum and / or Broads River basins. Even as far away as West Norfolk, some areas are affected – around Docking, East Rudham and Great Massingham. There is currently no timetable for how soon the issue will be resolved to allow the programs to be approved. Natural England has taken action because when nitrogen and phosphate nutrients enter water systems, it can cause algae overgrowth – known as eutrophication. This pollution, generally from sewage treatment, septic tanks, agriculture and industry, reduces oxygen in the water and makes it more difficult for aquatic species to survive. Sewage from new developments can make the problem worse. So Natural England wrote to the councils telling them they needed to make assessments and, where necessary, find mitigation measures to make developments nutrient-neutral. Permission for new housing construction in some areas of Norfolk has stopped. – Credit: Arch A spokesman for Norwich City Council said: “This has put a temporary stop to our ability to grant planning permission for many types of development. “This is a national issue with a total of 74 local councils affected by the issue of nutrient neutrality. “We are working hard with Natural England and the other affected Norfolk design authorities to resolve this issue as soon as possible.” Melanie Hughes, director of sustainable development at Natural England, said the body would help councils make assessments and find mitigation measures. He said: “Many mitigation measures will include the creation of new wetlands, woodlands or meadows – providing new areas for nature and recreation in the process – or the installation of environmentally friendly sustainable sewerage systems. “We recognize that nutrient neutrality will not be easy to adopt in many cases.” The government is offering 100 100,000 to city councils in each affected catchment area to pay for catchment officers. John Toye, holder of the North Norfolk Regional Council’s planning and enforcement portfolio. – Credit: Paul Heinrich John Toye, holder of North Norfolk Regional Council’s portfolio of planning and enforcement, said: “The implementation of the changes and their impact on the delivery of planning have not yet been fully understood. “Working with neighboring authorities we will find solutions and support applicants with guidance on new requirements.” Broadland’s Brundall’s Green Party Adviser Jan Davis – Contributor: George Thompson Jan Davis, Broadland Green Party spokesman and Broadland District Councilor, welcomed the guidance. He said it would help protect Broads from algae blooms and any delays in application planning were a “small price”. He said: “Action on this complex issue has been long overdue. It is therefore encouraging to see Natural England take a precautionary approach by issuing instructions to local planning authorities and developers on this important issue. “This is especially important in Broads where water quality is vital for water resources, fisheries, wildlife and tourism.” In 2019/20, just over 4,000 homes were built in Norfolk, but that dropped to about 3,250 the following year. Could this change where the houses are built? The letter from Natural England seemed to take the majority of Norfolk councils by surprise – and left them struggling to understand the consequences. It is not clear how long it will take to complete the procedures that will allow nutrient neutrality assessments – and mitigation where needed. And could that change where developers apply for housing? Iain Hill, an associate of Bidwells, a Norwich-based real estate consultant, believes that if there are delays, councils cannot prove they have a five-year housing offer. Iain Hill, of the Bidwells. – Credit: Arch He said: “If these targets are adversely affected, it seems likely that developers will focus on those Norfolk settlements outside the designated habitat catchment area, given the certainty of the decision-making process they provide and their need. to continue delivering homes “.
