URGENT Information regarding Planning Applications Norfolk Area

Nutrient Neutrality

We have been informed by two Norfolk Planning Authorities to date that planning applications in relation to the list below within the area marked in yellow on the map below are on hold for the foreseeable future.

This includes:

• new homes

• student accommodation

• care homes

• tourism attractions

• tourist accommodation

• permitted development (which gives rise to new overnight accommodation) under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015

• any development not involving overnight accommodation, but which may have non-sewerage water quality implications

All local planning authorities in Norfolk received a letter on 16 March 2022 from Natural England about nutrient pollution in the protected habitats of the River Wensum Special Area of Conservation and the Broads Special Area of Conservation and Ramsar site.

Unfortunately, we have very little information or details to pass on to you at this stage, however, whilst Planning Authorities assesses the implications of these matters (Nutrient Neutrality), the Council cannot lawfully conclude that development within the catchment of the River Wensum or the Broads Special Area of Conservation and Ramsar site will not have an adverse effect. Therefore, until these matters are resolved, the Council will not be able to grant planning permission for developments comprising overnight accommodation within the affected catchments.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with much further detail at this stage regarding the Nutrient Neutrality but trust that this email is at least of assistance in making you aware of the issues. Local Authorities are working with Natural England to better understand the implications and identify possible options for mitigation to ensure sustainable development can proceed. Unfortunately, it is not possible to state how long this may take to resolve.  

North Norfolk have kindly provided a link that will be updated with news regarding this:

Home | Nutrient Neutrality (north-norfolk.gov.uk)

GIRAMS

From the 31st March 2022 All Norfolk Councils will introduce a GIRAMS tariff to the following types of developments:

• all new residential development in current site allocations and

• windfall (excluding replacement dwellings and extensions);

• houses in multiple occupancy;

• student accommodation;

• residential care homes and residential institutions (excluding

• nursing homes);

• residential caravan sites / mobile homes / park homes; gypsies,

• travellers, and travelling showpeople plots; and

• residential moorings, holiday caravans, touring pitches and

• campsites.

The tariff will be set by each council but has been indicated to be in the region of £185 per dwelling. This we understand is to be secured by a Unilateral Undertaking under Section 106. Norwich City Council has indicated that to validate an applicable the Unilateral Undertaking must be submitted with the application.

The Norfolk GIRAM Strategy can be found here: https://www.norwich.gov.uk/downloads/file/7644/norfolk_giram_strategy

How this affects you

If you have a Planning Application within the Yellow marked area on the above map of the nature described this is now on hold until further notice. This also applies to any new applications made.

If you will be applying for a planning application after the 31st March 2022 of the nature described it will be subject to a GRAMS tariff and require a Unilateral Undertaking to form part of the planning application.