Draft Infrastructure Plan

September 2013

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Foreword

The emerging Local Plan sets out an ambitious vision for the borough to realise over the next 15 years. To achieve our vision for the borough, we need to have the necessary infrastructure in place.

This Infrastructure Plan provides invaluable information about existing infrastructure in the borough, planned infrastructure and investment commitments, and important priorities for future investment. The preparation of this plan also provides an opportunity to identify smarter ways of partnership working, reduce any duplication and capitalise on the potential for making savings with limited impact on service delivery.

Securing committed investment into this required infrastructure will be challenging given the levels of reduced funding that public sector organisations are facing, as a result of the Government’s commitment to reducing the national deficit. But, by clearly setting out what is required, the potential costs and phasing, the Council and our partners can work collaboratively towards funding essential infrastructure to deliver the Local Plan.

Councillor Bernard Williamson Cabinet Member for Transportation and Regeneration

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Contents

Foreword

Section 1: Introduction 7 1.1 Introduction 8 1.2 Why Produce an Infrastructure Plan? 8 1.3 What is Infrastructure? 8 1.4 Planning Policy Context 11 1.5 How was the Infrastructure Plan Prepared? 13 1.6 How is the Plan Structured? 14 1.7 How will the Plan be monitored? 14

Section 2: Physical Infrastructure 15 2.1 Transport: Highways 16 2.2 Transport: Rail Services 18 2.3 Transport: Bus Services 19 2.4 Transport: Cycling 20 2.5 Transport: Parking 22 2.6 Utilities: Water Supply 24 2.7 Utilities: Wastewater Collection and Treatment 24 2.8 Utilities: Gas Generation and Distribution 25 2.9 Utilities: Electricity Generation and Distribution 26 2.10 Communications: Broadband, Landlines and Mobile Phones 27 2.11 Flood defence: Tidal and Surface Water Flooding 27 2.12 Waste and Recycling: Collection and Disposal 29 2.13 Summary of Physical Infrastructure 29

Section 3: Social Infrastructure 33 3.1 Housing: Affordable Housing 34 3.2 Housing: Gypsies and Travellers 35 3.3 Community Facilities: Libraries 36 3.4 Community Facilities: Community Centres 36 3.5 Community Facilities: Museums and Cultural Facilities 37 3.6 Emergency Services: Police 37 3.7 Emergency Services: Fire 38 3.8 Education Facilities: Schools 39 3.9 Healthcare: Primary Care Centres 40 3.10 Leisure Facilities 41 3.11 Summary of Social Infrastructure 42

Section 4: Green Infrastructure 45 4.1 Open Spaces: Parks and Gardens 46 4.2 Open Space: Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) 47 4.3 Play Provision: Children’s Play Areas 47 4.4 Play Provision: Playing Pitches/Sports Pitches 48 4.5 Biodiversity: Enhancement, Habitat Management and Creation 49 4.6 Summary of Green Infrastructure 50

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Section 5: Financing and Delivering Infrastructure 51 5.1 How is Infrastructure Funded? 52 5.2 How is Infrastructure Delivered? 54 5.3 Next Steps 55

List of Figures

Figure 1: The planned A12/A143 link road (in red) and the proposed Sainsbury’s roundabout (in blue) 17 Figure 2: Wherry lines route map and onward travel links 18 Figure 3: Proposed cycle routes (as identified by the County Council and Great Yarmouth Cycle Forum) 21 Figure 4: Pay and display and resident parking provided by the Council 23

List of Tables

Table 1: Categorising physical infrastructure 9 Table 2: Categorising social infrastructure 10 Table 3: Categorising green infrastructure 10 Table 4: Physical infrastructure requirements matrix 29 Table 5: Affordable housing thresholds and percentages (emerging Core Strategy Policy CS4) 34 Table 6: Available places at local schools 39 Table 7: Social infrastructure requirements matrix 42 Table 8: Parks and gardens within the borough 46 Table 9: Distribution of playing fields, courts and greens 48 Table 10: Green infrastructure requirements matrix 50

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Section 1: Introduction

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1.1 Introduction

1.1.1 This draft document has been developed alongside other key Council plans and strategies including the Draft Core Strategy. It is the result of a continuing programme of work, with more information and detail becoming available as new plans and strategies have been prepared and updated. It should be read in conjunction with the Core Strategy as it is designed to outline how infrastructure will be put in place to facilitate the growth detailed within Local Plan documents.

1.1.2 Once finalised the Infrastructure Plan will identify the physical, social and green infrastructure needed to support and underpin the borough’s growth through to 2029, forming a key part of the evidence base for the emerging Local Plan.

1.2 Why produce an Infrastructure Plan?

1.2.1 Having an up to date Infrastructure Plan ensures that new development is delivered in a sustainable way, providing not just homes and jobs but all the other elements that collectively make great places in which to live, work and spend time. The plan also helps aid the delivery of new development by providing vital and useful information for the Council and its key partners on what is needed to achieve growth and help guide investment priorities, especially during a period of reductions in public spending and the continuing uncertain economic climate.

1.2.2 When finalised, the plan will assist in discussions and negotiations regarding planning obligations, which are a key source of infrastructure funding. It also provides background information and evidence for investigations into the potential implementation of a Community Infrastructure Levy charge which may be used to fund future infrastructure in the borough.

1.3 What is infrastructure?

1.3.1 For the purposes of this plan, infrastructure refers to anything that is needed to deliver the vision and objectives set out in the emerging Local Plan including the Core Strategy, including but not limited to the provision of housing and schools, emergency services and hospitals, utility provision, flood protection and maintaining green spaces.

1.3.2 As infrastructure refers to such a wide range of facilities and services, national guidance uses the terms physical, social and green infrastructure to further define different areas of infrastructure provision. Historically, infrastructure planning has focused primarily on the physical sector (such as public transport and utilities), it is now seen as good practice to consider the term in its widest sense, including social and green infrastructure. This plan categorises infrastructure under the three main categories of physical, social and green and under several sub-categories which are shown in the tables on the following pages.

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Table 1: Categorising physical infrastructure

Physical Infrastructure Infrastructure Examples Responsible Organisations sub-categories (includes but is not limited to) Transport Highways Norfolk County Council Rail services Highways Agency Bus services Network Rail/Greater Anglia Cycle paths First Group Parking Sustrans Great Yarmouth Borough Council Utilities Water supply Essex and Suffolk Water Wastewater collection and Anglia Water treatment National Grid Gas generation and distribution UK Power Networks Electricity generation and distribution Telecommunica- Telephones British Telecom tions Broadband and wireless internet Various providers Mobile telephones Norfolk County Council Flood Defence Surface water management Environment Agency Flood risk management Great Yarmouth Borough Council Coastal sea defences Norfolk County Council Waste and Collection and management Great Yarmouth Borough Council Recycling Recycling and disposal Norfolk County Council

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Table 2: Categorising social infrastructure

Social Infrastructure Infrastructure Examples Responsible Organisations sub-categories (includes but is not limited to) Housing Affordable housing Registered Providers (Housing Sheltered accommodation Associations) Sites and facilities for gypsies, Great Yarmouth Borough Council travellers and travelling show Norfolk County Council people Community Libraries Norfolk County Council facilities Community centres Norfolk Museums Service Museums and cultural facilities Parish Councils Cultural facilities such as public art Neighbourhood Management Groups Emergency Police Norfolk Constabulary Services Fire and rescue Norfolk Fire Service Educational Nursery and pre-school Norfolk County Council Facilities Primary and secondary schools Independent Academies Further education Healthcare Primary care centres (medical HealthEast Community Interest centres, dentists, pharmacies) Company Hospitals The Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Trust James Paget University Hospital Leisure Leisure centres Norfolk County Council facilities Sport centres Sport England Swimming pools Great Yarmouth Borough Council Great Yarmouth Sports and Leisure Trust

Table 3: Categorising green infrastructure

Green Infrastructure Infrastructure Examples Responsible Organisations sub-categories (includes but is not limited to) Open Spaces Community parks and gardens Great Yarmouth Borough Council Green wedges/strategic gaps Norfolk County Council Sustainable Drainage Systems Parish Councils (SUDs) Great Yarmouth/Gorleston Allotment Association Play provision Play areas Great Yarmouth Borough Council Playing pitches/sports facilities Norfolk County Council Parish Councils Biodiversity Habitat management and creation Great Yarmouth Borough Council Norfolk Wildlife Trust Wild Anglia Norfolk County Council

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1.3.3 This plan also further defines infrastructure by differentiating between infrastructure requirements resulting from a population increase and those which are required as a result of new development:

Population driven – population is increasing due to a rise in life expectancy and levels of immigration. Certain infrastructure such as new schools, are required to serve the new development that a rising population will bring.

Development driven – some larger development proposals may require a single piece of infrastructure, for example a new access road, to enable the development to proceed. These are likely to only be required once over the life of the Local Plan.

1.3.4 An estimated timescale is attached to each infrastructure requirement, depending on when it is likely to be delivered. Short term infrastructure is expected to be delivered within the first five years of the Core Strategy’s adoption. Medium term infrastructure is expected between five and ten years from the adoption date, while long term requirements will be delivered over the 15 year lifetime of the Core Strategy. However, these timescales are always subject to change and are likely to be influenced by a number of external factors. Whether infrastructure is seen as population driven or development driven is likely to affect its expected delivery timescale. Development driven requirements are usually required in the short term to allow new development to take place, whilst population driven requirements are generally more long-term aspirations that will be required as the local population increases over time.

1.3.5 Each infrastructure need within this plan is also classed as either ‘critical’ or ‘desirable’. ‘Critical’ requirements are those which need to be in place before any new development can take place. These are usually development driven, such as an extension to the foul sewerage network for a new housing site. Items defined as ‘desirable’ are not necessarily needed to facilitate immediate development but they are facilities and services that the Council aims to put in place over the lifetime of the Core Strategy.

1.4 Planning Policy Context

1.4.1 Creating prosperous and sustainable communities can only be done if the necessary infrastructure is in place. Effective and co-ordinated investment in the right infrastructure, of the right quality and at the right time, is essential to achieve the objectives of the emerging Local Plan and to ensure the sustainable economic, social and environmental future of the borough. The Draft Core Strategy contains Policy CS14: Securing essential new infrastructure, which focuses on delivering the infrastructure needed to support new development. However, other policies contained within the Draft Core Strategy also acknowledge the importance of infrastructure provision, in particular Policies CS17 and CS18, which detail plans for key site designations in the centre of Great Yarmouth and in south Bradwell.

1.4.2 The need for a planned approach to infrastructure provision is evident in national planning policy and as such, this plan has been prepared in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The NPPF highlights the importance of infrastructure planning and delivery in the plan making process and recommends working with other authorities and service providers to develop a partnership approach. Paragraph 156 states that:

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“Local planning authorities should set out the strategic priorities for the area in the Local Plan. This should include strategic policies to deliver:

the homes and jobs needed in the area; the provision of retail, leisure and other commercial development; the provision of infrastructure for transport, telecommunications, waste management, water supply, wastewater, flood risk and coastal change management, and the provision of minerals and energy (including heat); the provision of health, security, community and cultural infrastructure and other local facilities; Climate change mitigation and adaption, conservation and enhancement of the natural and historic environment, including landscape.”

1.4.3 Paragraph 163 of the NPPF reiterates the need to “work closely with other providers and authorities in order to:

assess the quality and capacity of infrastructure for transport, water supply, wastewater and its treatment, energy (including heat), telecommunications, utilities, waste, health, social care, education, flood risk and coastal change management, and its ability to meet forecast demands; take account of the need for strategic infrastructure including nationally significant infrastructure within their areas.”

1.4.4 This plan is designed not only to react to national planning polices but also to be a forward thinking and positive document that clearly sets out the future needs of the borough. By clearly specifying what the different infrastructure requirements are and how they will be implemented, this document can aid future decisions made by the Council and help to bring forward new development as set out in the Core Strategy.

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1.5 How has the Infrastructure Plan prepared?

1.5.1 The preparation of this plan has involved many different processes and required input from numerous external bodies. The diagram below demonstrates how this plan was prepared:

Compile existing evidence and review the current

infrastructure provision in the borough

Review emerging Local Plan to establish anticipated levels of growth and broad locations

Identify and contact relevant service providers to establish future plans

Analyse infrastructure requirements to determine if they are critical or desirable

Identify delivery mechanisms and funding streams

Publish a draft Infrastructure Plan for public

consultation

Review received comments and make any final amendments

Publish the final plan and monitor, reviewing the content when necessary

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1.6 How is the plan structured?

1.6.1 The final output of the Infrastructure Plan is to provide a matrix of infrastructure requirements with details of funding sources and delivery mechanisms for each of the three infrastructure types. Each matrix will be included at the end of chapters’ two to four which form the main body of the plan. They will also be used to feed back into the emerging Core Strategy and may influence forthcoming Local Plan policies.

1.6.2 Chapters two to four each focus on one of the three types of infrastructure. Using a similar format, they individually examine the different infrastructure currently available in the borough, identify shortfalls in provision through analysing information supplied by different service providers and then demonstrate how these shortfalls will be met in the future. Each chapter contains a separate matrix of infrastructure requirements. Finally, chapter five explores the different ways and means for financing and delivering infrastructure needs.

1.7 How can you have your say?

1.7.1 Comments are welcomed on the draft Infrastructure Plan during a consultation period running from Friday 27 September to 5:00pm on Friday 8 November 2013. If you wish to comment on the draft Infrastructure Plan you can either use the online Local Plan consultation portal at www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/localplan or complete a Local Plan comments form. Comments forms are available from the Town Hall in Great Yarmouth, all public libraries in the borough and online during the consultation period. If required, a form can be posted out on request. Completed comments forms should be sent to:

Strategic Planning Team, Great Yarmouth Borough Council Town Hall, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 2QF

Or email them to [email protected]

1.7.2 If you wish to make more than one comment please ensure that you fill in and submit a separate form for each individual comment. In circumstances where there are individuals/ groups/organisations who share a similar view as to how the plan should change, it would be helpful if representations could be made as a single comment. It would also be useful if the group/organisation state how many people the submission is representing and how the comment was authorised. Please be aware that anonymous comments cannot be accepted, in order for your comment to be considered you must include your contact details (all personal information will be held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998).

1.7.3 Once all consultation comments have been received, the Infrastructure Plan will be amended where appropriate and a final version of the document will be published on the Council’s website. The plan will then be formally updated and published alongside the Annual Monitoring Report in December each year. This is to ensure it is a ‘living’ document that is able to respond to the frequently changing nature of the supply, demand and planning of infrastructure.

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Section 2: Physical Infrastructure

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2.1 Transport: Highways

Current Provision

2.1.1 There are two main trunk roads in the borough which are the Acle Straight section of the A47 running from Acle to Great Yarmouth and the A12 from the junction of the A47 (Vauxhall roundabout) southbound into Suffolk and on to London. The A47 is the main strategic route linking Norfolk to the midlands and the north (westbound) and central/northern Europe (eastbound). The road is largely single carriageway, resulting in slow and unreliable journeys. There are particular problems at Vauxhall Roundabout where the A47 ends to form one of the main strategic entrances into Great Yarmouth. At peak times the roundabout becomes particularly congested which can cause long tail-backs onto the Acle Straight.

2.1.2 The towns of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston also suffer from congestion within their built up areas. This is primarily due to there being only two crossings over the River Yare at Haven Bridge and Breydon Bridge. As these are both located in Great Yarmouth, these bridges can become very congested as all traffic must pass over them to cross the river. The South Denes peninsula in Great Yarmouth is particularly inaccessible and problems are exacerbated by industrial and freight traffic needing to access this area.

2.1.3 At present, the key site designation in south Bradwell is not easily accessible and would have an inadequate transport network for 1,000+ additional dwellings. The main access to the site would currently be from a small slip road on the A143 Beccles Road or through residential streets to the north in Bradwell and Gorleston.

Future Schemes

2.1.4 A47 Improvements: Norfolk County Council has made this a priority in order to boost the economic development of the whole region, including the borough of Great Yarmouth. The County and Borough Councils form an integral part of the A47 Alliance which brings together businesses, local authorities, MPs and stakeholders along the route to work together to make the case for improved infrastructure. The Alliance is campaigning for improvements to the stretch of road running from Great Yarmouth as far as Peterborough, which provides important strategic links to Norwich airport as well as settlements throughout Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. The Alliance have long term plans to dual the Acle Straight in order to improve journey times and safety and to make improvements at Vauxhall Roundabout which is the key interchange. Norfolk County Council also has aspirations to make improvements to Fullers Hill roundabout and the ASDA/train station approach junction in order to further ease congestion.

2.1.5 The A47 Alliance has estimated that Acle Straight dualling will cost in the region of £84 million. It is identified as a scheme for which support is needed to secure additional funding with no potential local contributions at present. The Vauxhall Roundabout scheme has been estimated to cost £20-30 million to deliver. It is also identified as a scheme for which support is needed to secure additional funding.

2.1.6 Beacon Park Roundabout and A12/A143 Link Road: A planning application has been submitted for a new Sainsbury’s superstore at Beacon Park. As part of the scheme, the developer plans to finance a new roundabout in the Beacon Park development with a spur

Infrastructure Plan, September 2013 Page 16 onto a proposed link road from the A12, through Beacon Park, to the A143 Beccles Road. The link road will provide access to the proposed strategic development site in south Bradwell and is the key to unlocking this development. Funding has already been secured for the scheme, with the Department for Transport allocating £4.7 million towards the cost of the road, with development funding the remainder of the £6.7 million link road.

Figure 1: The planned A12/A143 link road (in red) and the proposed Sainsbury’s roundabout (in blue)

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2.1.8 Third River Crossing: This has also been recognised by Norfolk County Council as a key priority for Great Yarmouth in order to ease congestion and improve accessibility in the town, including access to the seafront, South Denes and outer harbour areas. The County Council has adopted a preferred route alignment for a third river crossing south of the existing bridges. This will continue to be safeguarded by Norfolk County Council and the Borough Council until funding becomes available. It is estimated that the whole scheme will cost in the region of £112 million and is a project for which support is needed to secure additional funding, with no potential local contributions at present.

2.2 Transport: Rail Services

Current Provision

2.2.1 The train station at Great Yarmouth is the only station in the borough. It forms part of the ‘Wherry Lines’ which connects Norwich to the coast at Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Network Rail owns the station and the track infrastructure but passenger services are presently operated by Greater Anglia. The line from Norwich splits at Brundall, with one branch serving Lingwood, Acle and Great Yarmouth. The other branch essentially serves Lowestoft via Cantley and Reedham, although this branch does reconnect to Great Yarmouth and is served by occasional services on weekdays and weekends via Berney Arms. In total, there are 23 services per day running from Great Yarmouth to Norwich with an hourly service (and half hourly peak). Fewer services run at the weekends with more operating via the Berney Arms branch line.

Figure 2: Wherry lines route map and onward travel links

2.2.2 The train service transports commuters to and from Great Yarmouth throughout the year, but during the summer months the service is a vital transport link for tourists visiting the town and surrounding area. It links Great Yarmouth with Norwich, which has direct services to London, Cambridge the midlands and the north of England. However, the train service has relatively long journey times of 35 minutes to Norwich and the rolling stock operating on the route consists largely of two carriage class 153 or 156 diesel multiple units dating from the late 1980s. Many of these units are in poor condition and in need of refurbishment. The appearance of Great Yarmouth station is also poor, especially considering its strategic

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position at the ‘gateway’ to the town. A complete refurbishment/redevelopment of Great Yarmouth station is required to bring it up to a standard that passengers would expect of a modern interchange.

Future Schemes

2.2.3 Norfolk County Council have recently published the Norfolk Rail Prospectus (2012) which sets out the rail improvements that the County Council and its partners see as being needed in order to ensure the continued economic success of the county and to deliver the jobs and housing growth that are planned for the area. The prospectus was agreed following a number of studies which provided the evidence base for the document. Consultation was carried out with a range of partners including the rail industry, businesses and local authorities. Great Yarmouth Borough Council is also involved with the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership and the Norfolk Rail Policy Group which have had input into the document.

The priorities set out for the Wherry Lines were as follows:

New or fully refurbished rolling stock Good connections at Norwich Service frequency - a year round minimum service level requirement of not less than hourly Improvements to railway stations

2.2.4 The Norfolk Rail Prospectus identifies refurbishment and upgrading of Great Yarmouth station as a priority. This ranges from general tidying/smartening up of the station’s appearance in the short term to a more comprehensive scheme including improving passenger access between the station and town by public transport, walking and cycling. Such a project might include: refurbishment of the existing Vauxhall footbridge between the station and North Quay (including investigating its potential as a bus-link); improving the pedestrian link onwards to Market Gates; creating a bus interchange in front of the station and a redesigned car park. These plans tie in with the aspirations set out in the Great Yarmouth Waterfront Area Action Plan (AAP) and the draft Core Strategy. As the station is located in an important strategic position at one of the major gateways into the town, the regeneration of the station and surrounding area is important.

2.3 Transport: Bus Services

Current Provision

2.3.1 The main bus terminal within the borough is at Market Gates in Great Yarmouth, situated just off the central market place. From here there are numerous bus services with routes throughout the borough and to other parts of Norfolk and Suffolk. The main services run from Great Yarmouth to Norwich (X1 and X47) and onwards to Kings Lynn and Peterborough (X1) and from Great Yarmouth to Lowestoft, usually on a half hourly basis. There are numerous local bus services operating in and around Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Bradwell, with further routes through the rural southern and northern parishes of the borough. As there is only one train station in the borough and much of the rural area is served by only minor roads, bus services are a particularly important form of transport for many local residents. There are also long distance coach services operating from Market Gates. There are four routes in total, running between Great Yarmouth and Birkenhead,

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Birmingham and two towards London. These offer an alternative to long distance train travel and are another important link for tourists visiting the area.

2.3.2 Bus services in the borough are run by a number of different operators. Local services are predominantly controlled by First bus group as well as Anglia bus, whilst long distance services are operated by National Express coaches.

Future Schemes

2.3.3 New development within the borough will be served by bus routes providing there is sufficient demand amongst the local population to support a new route or the extension of an existing service. The Council will continue to promote bus services and campaign for more integration with rail services. A key priority is to re-establish a bus service from Great Yarmouth train station which will connect it with the town centre and outlying villages.

2.3.4 Norfolk County Council is also delivering a series of bus stop infrastructure improvements which will provide improved surfaces, raised boarding, tactile paving and dropped kerbs. This is an ongoing, county-wide programme that incorporates 300-350 bus stops across Norfolk.

2.4 Transport: Cycling

Current Provision

2.4.1 At present there is an extensive cycling network in the urban areas of the borough, especially in the towns of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston-on-sea (see fig. 3), where there are various on-road cycle routes with some cycle facilities and dedicated off-road cycle tracks. With a relatively flat terrain and compact urban community, the borough lends itself well to cycling. There are particularly good cycle facilities along Great Yarmouth seafront where there is a special cycle lane shared with horse carriages and the land train running the length of the Golden Mile. A bye-law preventing cycling on both Gorleston and Great Yarmouth’s Esplanades in the summer months has recently been lifted on a trial basis to allow cyclists to share this route with pedestrians for 12 months a year. A significant part of the Norfolk Coast Cycleway from Cromer to Great Yarmouth also passes through the northern part of the borough.

2.4.2 One of the main issues with cycling provision within the borough is the lack of adequate linkages between the urban areas and the adjoining rural settlements. Apart from a cycleway along Caister Road, there are few dedicated cycle routes outside of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston and cycling to the northern or southern parishes requires the use of busy vehicular routes.

2.4.3 The Great Yarmouth Cycle Forum is a group that brings together local stakeholders, residents, Borough Council planning officers, the town centre manager, the traffic manager for Norfolk Constabulary, local Members and Norfolk County Council representatives. The aim of the group is to involve its members in future cycling schemes and initiatives as a consultee, and to encourage and promote cycling. A Great Yarmouth cycle map and guide has been compiled by Norfolk County Council in conjunction with the Great Yarmouth Cycle Forum and the Borough Council. The Cycle Forum has identified a number of advisory routes that they wish to see designated in the future, some of which help to improve access between urban and rural areas.

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Figure 3: Proposed cycle routes (as identified by the County Council and Great Yarmouth Cycle Forum)

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Future Schemes

2.4.4 Work is presently being carried out on Vauxhall Bridge in Great Yarmouth to improve this important travel route. The bridge is not currently open for vehicular traffic but is a very important pedestrian and cycle route which acts as a gateway to the town linking the train station and the town centre. At present, a feasibility study and structural assessment of the bridge is being carried out, with future phases of the restoration plan aiming to improve the cycling and pedestrian experience for those using the bridge.

2.4.5 In May 2013, plans were approved to allow cycling along Great Yarmouth Promenade on a trial basis. This is a similar scheme to the one on Gorleston Esplanade, in that lifting the existing bye law will allow pedestrians and cyclists to share this important route along the seafront. The progress of both schemes is currently being monitored by the Borough Council with a view to lifting the bye law permanently if the schemes are successful.

2.4.6 It is a long term ambition of the Council to create a cycle route along Warren Road which will link the south of Gorleston with Hopton via a dedicated off-road cycle route. Creating this route would help to link the main urban areas in the borough with parts of the southern parishes. The project would cost in the region of £125,000 to complete and although funding was originally made available, the money has now been withdrawn due to legal objections to the route. At present, the Borough Council and the Cycle Forum are working closely with Sustrans to find a new source of funding.

2.4.7 The Great Yarmouth Cycle Forum has also identified other ‘rural priority links’ and ‘aspirational rural links’ which will help improve access throughout the borough and in particular to the northern and southern parishes from urban areas.

2.4.8 In addition to this, there is a potential pedestrian and cycle route which would cross the River Yare and link Southtown with the South Denes peninsula. This route is outlined in the Great Yarmouth Waterfront Area Action Plan as part of the Third River Crossing and would be a significant improvement to walking and cycling provision in Great Yarmouth. The link would encourage greener modes of transport for shorter journeys and may well be preferable to using the existing vehicular crossings to the north. These routes along with others are shown in figure 3.

2.5 Transport: Parking

Current Provision

2.5.1 Great Yarmouth Borough Council offers a number of different ‘pay and display’ and free parking sites around the centre of Great Yarmouth (see figure 4) outside of the existing ‘Zone A’ residents’ parking area. In total there are 881 pay and display spaces available in the town centre and 1,006 on the seafront. There are also 57 free spaces and 1,154 private spaces.

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Figure 4: Pay and display and resident parking provided by the Council

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Future Schemes

2.5.2 There is a considerable demand for parking spaces directly on Great Yarmouth seafront in the peak summer season. The North Drive car park on the seafront is due to be extended to incorporate a further 50 parking spaces. There are also plans to extend the car park at Central Beach to allow an additional 150 vehicles to park there. The Council is examining the possibility of developing an additional multi storey car park in Great Yarmouth town centre, possibly on an existing parking site if it is deemed to be suitable for this purpose.

2.6 Utilities: Water supply

Current Provision

2.6.1 Water in Great Yarmouth borough is mainly supplied by Essex and Suffolk water (aside from a small area in the northern part of the borough which is served by Anglian Water), which serves over 1.7 million people in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Greater London. The northern/central water resource zone, which covers the borough, is bounded by the River Waveney and River Bure to the west and the coastline from Southwold in Suffolk to Winterton-on-Sea in Norfolk in the east. The zone includes the towns of Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, north Halesworth, Bungay and Beccles. Demand in the zone is heavily influenced by the large population centres in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. The transient holiday population in Great Yarmouth during the summer, and the annual pea harvest in late June/early July have a notable seasonal affect on demand. Approximately 70% of the water supplied in the northern/central resource zone is sourced from surface water, with 30% being sourced from groundwater in the south of the zone.

Future Schemes

2.6.2 Both Essex and Suffolk Water and Anglian Water are required to produce a Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP) which is updated every 5 years. Essex and Suffolk Water’s current WRMP covers the period from 2010 to 2035, although they are currently preparing an update for 2015-2040. The WRMP is a 25 year plan to balance supply and demand and to ensure that water consumption does not exceed what the region can provide. The plan outlines how this balance will be maintained by investing in demand management and developing new water resources. The plan tackles the challenges of regional growth and the effects that climate change and new environmental legislation will have on water supplies.

2.6.3 The plan identifies that there is no foreseeable problems with water supply to the proposed development in the Great Yarmouth Waterfront Area Action Plan (AAP). However, the proposals at land south of Bradwell would require additional infrastructure provision. The development will require a connection to a large diameter main in the existing Beacon Park development and the main extended to supply any new housing. Essex and Suffolk Water are required to provide a water supply to these new properties and as such, water supply is not currently considered to be a constraint on development. There should be few limitations in supplying water to smaller development sites around the borough.

2.7 Utilities: Wastewater Collection and Treatment

Current Provision

2.7.1 Wastewater refers to any water from household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, showers or baths, as well as sewage water containing human waste or other Infrastructure Plan, September 2013 Page 24

substances such as oils and chemicals. In this borough, Anglian Water is responsible for the treatment of waste water. There is a wastewater treatment works at Pump Lane in Caister (north of Great Yarmouth) which is the main treatment works for the borough.

Future Schemes

2.7.2 Anglian Water have analysed the effects of proposed new development on the existing wastewater treatment network. They concluded that there is sufficient capacity at Caister Pump Lane wastewater treatment works to serve the proposed new development outlined in the emerging Local Plan. Should all the available capacity be taken up at the water treatment works in the future, then upgrades may be required that could involve seeking consent from the Environment Agency for an increase in the discharge of final effluent to the sea.

2.7.3 However, Anglian Water has identified a need for infrastructure and/or treatment upgrades to the foul sewerage and surface water network capacity in order to serve proposed growth. There are currently major constraints due to the lack of sewerage infrastructure at developments in Gorleston, at Beacon Park and at the proposed key site to the south of Bradwell, caused by many of these sites being undeveloped greenfield land. In order to address this issue, contributions from developers will be sought to provide the necessary infrastructure required to facilitate growth.

2.7.4 In terms of surface water network capacity, there are also major constraints to the provision of infrastructure and/or treatment to serve proposed growth throughout the borough. Anglian Water have identified this as a major issue causing flooding in the existing network and proposed new allocations in the Core Strategy could increase the risk of flooding in the catchment area. However, as the network is a combined sewerage system, the removal of surface water from the system by utilising sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) would assist in providing capacity in the network. This reiterates the need to incorporate SuDS in all new development where the waste water network capacity is a limiting factor. This will reduce the burden on developers to finance improvements to the existing network to increase capacity. The draft Great Yarmouth Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) identifies areas at risk of surface water flooding within the borough and provides an assessment of options to address this risk. This information can be used to inform the location of SuDS. For more information regarding tidal and surface water flooding, see section 2.11.

2.8 Utilities: Gas Generation and Distribution

Current Provision

2.8.1 National Grid owns and operates the national transmission system throughout Great Britain which connects to eight regional networks. In our area, National Grid also own and operate the local gas distribution network and are therefore also responsible for distributing gas to the borough. National Grid has a duty to develop and maintain an efficient, co-ordinated and economical transmission system for the conveyance of gas and respond to requests for new gas supplies in certain circumstances. Bacton Gas terminal is a large gas terminal located on the north Norfolk coast with an underground pipeline connecting the terminal with the gas power station in South Denes in Great Yarmouth.

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Future Schemes

2.8.2 There are likely to be no future supply issues with gas provision. Improvements to the gas distribution network are generally carried out as a result of significant growth in overall regional demand rather than site specific requirements.

2.9 Utilities: Electricity Generation and Distribution

Current provision

2.9.1 National Grid own the electricity transmission system in England and Wales and operate the entire transmission network throughout Great Britain, which links the major power stations and transports electricity in bulk across the country. The electricity distributor for the borough of Great Yarmouth is UK Power Networks, which is known as a Distribution Network Operator (DNO), covering 29,000sq km of London, the south east and east of England. Their role is to take electricity at high voltages from the National Grid and transform it down to voltages suitable for commercial and domestic use. UK Power Networks are responsible for ensuring that the infrastructure that brings power to homes, businesses, hospitals, schools and other public services continues to deliver reliable, safe and sustainable electricity at all times.

Future Schemes

2.9.2 In response to a consultation on the Draft Core Strategy, UK Power Networks has commented on future electricity distribution in the borough. Their overview considers the current network, although as the timescales of development (2013-2028) span a considerable amount of time, the network may be subject to change from other developments during this period. It is also likely to be affected by general load growth.

2.9.3 The 33kV and 132kV electricity distribution networks supplying the Great Yarmouth area currently have reasonable headroom and as such, the proposed development in the borough should not trigger any upstream reinforcement issues. Housing developments of the size proposed are usually supplied by local distribution substations, fed at 11kV and supplying 230v to domestic housing. It is likely that dedicated local substations will be required to supply these developments, the costs of which vary depending on the amount of 11kV cable required to connect to the existing 11kV network. Costs for the substation work are typically in the region of £40-50k, with cable requirements being dependant upon individual cases. A typical substation will supply in the region of 250 domestic dwellings, dependant upon housing type and distance from the substation. The provision of existing 11kV substations within the locations being considered would suggest that due to the presence of existing 11kV network, extension of these networks would not be a major issue. This would be subject to a detailed network study to determine any spare capacity on existing 11kV circuits and the extent of any network extension requirements.

2.9.4 There has also been significant investment in the renewable energy sector in Great Yarmouth with plans for further infrastructure development across the borough. Most of this development is focussed around the south denes area of Great Yarmouth, with the recently designated Enterprise Zone providing an opportunity to build on the town’s strengths in the energy sector and take advantage of the huge growth potential offered by this sector to create thousands of new jobs. There is also significant interest in on shore solar farms and wind turbines in existing and new sites in other parts of the borough which will contribute further to local electricity generation.

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2.10 Communications: Broadband, Landlines and Mobile Phones

Current Provision

2.10.1 At present, landline services provided by BT are available throughout the borough although the mobile phone signal is poor in some areas with the A143 corridor leading out of Great Yarmouth being identified as a particular black spot. The County Council have also identified that improving broadband services in Norfolk is considered key to the sustainable economic development of the county. It will bring benefits to the whole of Norfolk, not just the urban areas and the strategic areas of growth. It will allow people to access services remotely as well as run businesses and work from home, reducing overheads and the need to travel.

Future Schemes

2.10.2 Broadband - In December 2010, the Government launched its National Broadband Strategy: ‘Britain’s Superfast Broadband Future’ which sets out the Government’s vision for the UK to have the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015. The Government initially announced the availability of £530m with a further £300m in funding to follow. In March 2011, tier 1 local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships were invited to submit proposals for funds to improve broadband in their area. It was announced in May 2011 that Norfolk County Council’s (NCC’s) bid had been successful and it was awarded £15.44 million of Government funding - NCC is contributing a further £15 million. This money will be added to a significant sum from the private sector partner appointed to deliver Norfolk’s better broadband infrastructure. One of the main priorities of the scheme is to ensure that Norfolk’s Enterprise Zones, located at South Denes in Great Yarmouth and Beacon Park in Gorleston, are fully enabled to receive superfast broadband. These Enterprise Zones have been established by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership to encourage the offshore renewable energy sector to grow. Providing superfast broadband (24 Megabits per second (Mb/s) plus) will create higher ‘speed uplift’ leading to the largest economic and other benefits.

2.10.3 Mobile phones - The Government have also committed £150 million of capital expenditure to improve mobile coverage and quality. The project will bring improved coverage from 2013 and will be completed by 2015. This commitment is part of a bigger investment project in which £780 million will be invested in the UK’s digital infrastructure. The ‘Mobile Infrastructure Project’ is designed to target areas with no mobile phone coverage and is expected to deliver coverage to an additional 60,000 UK homes and businesses. As part of this project, coverage will be improved along major roads, with an initial 10 priority roads identified, one of which being the A143 corridor between Great Yarmouth and Haverhill in Suffolk. It is also thought that there will be some benefit for mobile phone coverage as a result of the broadband project mentioned above.

2.11 Flood Defence: Tidal and Surface Water Flooding

Current Provision

2.11.1 Due to its location on the North Sea coast and at the mouth of the River Yare, Great Yarmouth is considered to be at risk of tidal and coastal (sea) flooding. Tidal flooding from defence overtopping and breaching is considered to be the most significant source of flooding in the borough but the risk of surface water flooding in certain areas is also considered to be high. Although the consequences of surface water flooding are typically less than tidal flooding, the probability of occurrence is significantly greater. The risk of Infrastructure Plan, September 2013 Page 27

fluvial (river) and groundwater flooding is considered to be relatively low compared to the risk of tidal flooding.

2.11.2 Many of the affected areas within the borough are currently protected and as such widespread flooding of Great Yarmouth due to tidal, coastal or fluvial events has not been experienced in the recent past. Some flooding of the area around North River Road adjacent to the River Bure has occurred in recent years, although this was due to surface water becoming trapped behind the defences rather than direct flooding from the river. However, more than 3,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Great Yarmouth in 2007, when a surge tide came close to overtopping the flood defences.

2.11.3 Much of the proposed Great Yarmouth Waterfront Area Action Plan (AAP) area lies within flood zones 2 and 3, meaning it is at medium and high risk of flooding. The Council must demonstrate that the sequential test has been applied to the allocation of development within these areas and that there are no reasonably available alternative sites for development in areas of lower risk. Following application of the sequential test, the exception test will also have to be applied for more vulnerable and highly vulnerable development in these zones, such as housing.

Future Schemes

2.11.4 The Environment Agency is responsible for maintaining flood defences in the borough. In February 2013, they announced a £28.6 million project to improve the flood defences in the centre of Great Yarmouth which currently protect over 4,000 homes. More than 660 metres of flood wall will be replaced in Cobholm and Southtown, and other flood defences will be repaired, to ensure the continued protection of homes and businesses from tidal flooding. Work on this project started in spring 2013 with completion due in December 2015, although the flood defence scheme is dependent upon £6 million of local contributions being secured. These contributions from local authorities, businesses and private investors are needed to unlock the funding announced for the project. The Anglian (Eastern) Regional Flood and Coastal Committee recognise the importance and urgency of these works and have approved a £3 million contribution. Part of the Government funding for the Great Yarmouth scheme will come from the £120 million acceleration and economic growth fund announced in the 2012 autumn statement to speed up the construction of around 50 schemes in England.

2.11.5 Based on the geology and soils of Great Yarmouth there are very few areas within the catchment with permeable soils that would be suitable to implement infiltration based sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). Non infiltration based SuDS techniques are generally recommended for use in Great Yarmouth, this is due to the soil properties which appear to have high clay content, thus reducing the potential for infiltration. Green (living) roofs are at the top of the sustainability hierarchy for SuDS techniques and are suitable in this area, although on sites larger than 1 Hectare, the Environment Agency wish to see other SuDS techniques supplementing green roofs. As well as flood reduction benefits, green roofs also provide pollution control and landscape and wildlife benefits. Permeable surfaces and filter drains are another non-infiltration based SuDS technique that should be considered in all new development in the borough. Recent residential development at Beacon Park has incorporated such techniques and new development at the key strategic site to the south of Bradwell will be required to incorporate SuDS in order to combat surface water flooding.

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2.12 Waste and Recycling: Collection and Disposal

Current Provision

2.12.1 Great Yarmouth Borough Council is responsible for collecting waste from domestic properties across the borough, while Norfolk County Council is the Waste Disposal Authority and is therefore responsible for disposing of refuse. At present, waste collection services are based at the Churchill Road depot in Great Yarmouth. From here, collection vehicles and crews serve the entire borough. Once waste and recycling material is collected, it is taken to a waste transfer facility at Caister which is operated by Norfolk Environmental Waste Service (NEWS) on behalf of Norfolk County Council.

Future Schemes

2.12.2 A refuse collection round can service approximately 5,500 - 6,000 properties, so the housing proposed over the plan period could easily be accommodated by one extra refuse vehicle and crew. The additional waste generated could also be accommodated at the current Churchill Road site in Great Yarmouth. In addition, the waste transfer facilities at Caister operated by Norfolk Environmental Waste Service (NEWS) on behalf of Norfolk County Council are expected to continue their current operation and could easily accommodate an additional waste collection round for potential onward transfer to landfill. There are therefore no physical infrastructure issues foreseen over the plan period in terms of waste and recycling collection and disposal.

2.13 Summary of Physical Infrastructure

2.13.1 The table below provides a summary of future physical infrastructure schemes, with details of how each project will be funded and delivered and the Core Strategy policies that each scheme relates to. At present, the figures in the matrix are estimates and are subject to change.

Table 4: Physical infrastructure requirements matrix

Infrastructure Core Estimated Funding Source Phasing/ Delivery Lead Requirement Strategy Cost Critical or Policy Desirable

Transport: Highways Beacon Park CS3 Link Road Developer funded Short-medium Norfolk County Roundabout & CS14 £6.7 million (through section term/Critical Council/ A12/A143 Link Road CS16 roundabout 106 agreement)/ GYBC CS18 £100,000 Department for Transport Acle Straight (A47) CS14 £84m Central Long term/ Norfolk County dualling CS16 Government Desirable Council, A47 Alliance Vauxhall CS14 £20-30m Central Long term/ Norfolk County Roundabout CS16 Government Desirable Council, A47 Improvements Alliance Third River Crossing CS14 £112m Central Long term/ Norfolk County CS16 Government Desirable Council CS17

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Infrastructure Core Estimated Funding Source Phasing/ Delivery Lead Requirement Strategy Cost Critical or Policy Desirable AAP site CS3 To be Developer funded Long term/ Norfolk County contributions to off CS14 assessed (through section Critical Council site junction CS16 106 agreement) improvements CS17

Transport: Rail Station CS16 Schemes will Wherry Lines Short-medium Norfolk County Improvements at CS17 vary Community Rail term/ Council, GYBC Great Yarmouth Partnership, Desirable Network Rail, Franchisee Greater Anglia, (Greater Anglia), Central GYBC and Norfolk Government County Council Norfolk Rail CS14 Schemes will Central Long term/ Norfolk County Prospectus priorities: CS16 vary Government, Desirable Council, new or refurbished CS17 Network Rail, Network Rail, rolling stock and Franchisee Central improved (Greater Anglia) Government connections and service frequency Transport: Buses New route to serve CS14 TBC TBC Short term/ Norfolk County train station CS16 Desirable Council, bus CS17 companies Bus stop CS16 £2,750 per Norfolk County Short term/ Norfolk County improvements stop Council Desirable Council New routes to serve CS14 Schemes will Developer funded Short - medium Developer, development at key CS16 vary (through section term/Desirable Norfolk County sites CS17 106 agreement) Council, GYBC CS18 Transport: Walking and Cycling Vauxhall Bridge CS14 £15,000 Norfolk County Short term/ Norfolk County Feasibility Study CS16 Council Desirable Council, GYBC, CS17 Sustrans Vauxhall Bridge CS14 £63,000 Heritage Learning Short term/ Norfolk County Structural CS16 Fund bid Desirable Council, GYBC, Assessment CS17 Sustrans Vauxhall Bridge CS14 £1.25-2.75M £300,000 of Big Long term/ Norfolk County Restoration CS16 Lottery funding Desirable Council, GYBC, CS17 Sustrans Transport: Parking Additional 150 car CS6 Share of £2- Capital funding Short - medium GYBC parking spaces at CS8 3M bid term/Desirable Central Beach pay and display

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Infrastructure Core Estimated Funding Source Phasing/ Delivery Lead Requirement Strategy Cost Critical or Policy Desirable Utilities: Water Supply Main connection and CS3 TBC Developer funded Short - medium Essex and extension at south CS14 (through section term/Critical Suffolk Water, Bradwell CS18 106 agreement) Developer Utilities: Wastewater Treatment Upgrade/provide CS3 TBC Developer funded Short - medium Anglian Water, foul sewerage CS14 (through section term/Critical Developer network capacity at CS17 106 agreement) all sites CS18 Provide surface CS3 Incorporated Developer funded Short - medium Anglian Water, water drainage at all CS14 into build (through section term/Critical Developer sites CS17 costs 106 agreement) CS18 Provide sewage CS3 TBC Developer funded Short - medium Anglian Water, pumping station at CS14 (through section term/Critical Developer Bradwell south CS18 106 agreement) Utilities: Wastewater Treatment

No confirmed schemes

Utilities: Electricity Generation and Distribution New electricity CS3 £40-50,000 Developer funded Short - medium UK Power substations at key CS14 per (through section term/Critical Networks, sites CS17 substation 106 agreement) Developer CS18 Communications: Landlines, Mobile Phones and Broadband Improving mobile CS6 Share of Central Short - medium Norfolk County phone signal on CS14 £150M Government term/Desirable Council A143 corridor national expenditure Improving CS6 £30M+ Central Short - medium Norfolk County Broadband services CS14 Government, term/Critical Council, British including superfast CS18 Norfolk County Telecoms Broadband for Council (£15M Enterprise Zones each), Private sector partner Flood Defence: Surface Water Flooding

Incorporating SuDS CS3 Included in Developer funded Short - long Environment into new CS14 landscaping (through section term/Critical Agency, development where CS18 costs 106 agreement) Anglian Water, possible Developer, GYBC

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Infrastructure Core Estimated Funding Source Phasing/ Delivery Lead Requirement Strategy Cost Critical or Policy Desirable Flood Defence: Tidal Flooding Replacement flood CS3 £28.6M Environment Short Environment wall in Cobholm and CS13 Agency/Local term/Critical Agency Southtown CS17 contributions including £3M from Anglian Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Waste and Recycling: Collection and Disposal Additional refuse CS12 TBC GYBC Short - long GYBC collection and crew CS14 term to serve key site CS17 Critical designations CS18

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Section 3: Social Infrastructure

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3.1 Housing: Affordable Housing

Current Provision

3.1.1 In 2007, the Borough Council carried out a Housing Market Assessment (HMA) which took into account current and future projected market conditions and demonstrated a high level of need for affordable housing in the borough. The assessment recommended that an affordable housing target of 35% of all new dwellings should be affordable, in order to meet the high demand.

3.1.2 Since that date the following affordable housing figures have been achieved:

2007: 22 dwellings 2010: 58 dwellings 2008: 58 dwellings 2011: 56 dwellings 2009:71 dwellings 2012: 28 dwellings

3.1.3 Although the HMA suggested that the level of affordable housing need is very high, it has not always been possible to achieve this level of provision. The average number of homes delivered between 2007 and 2012 was 48, so the percentage of affordable housing delivered has not reached the 35% target figure. This is due to a number of considerations such as land supply, delivery and financial viability.

3.1.4 As a result, the emerging Core Strategy sets new targets for affordable housing provision, based on an affordable housing viability assessment which was commissioned by the Council in 2012 to better understand the capacity of private development to deliver affordable housing. This assessment used market prospects and a range of cost implications, including other section 106 contributions, to determine the viability of different levels of affordable housing throughout the borough. The assessment identified geographical differences in viability across the borough and as such the emerging Core Strategy has supported the setting of sub-market area based affordable housing thresholds and percentages (see table 5).

Table 5: Affordable housing thresholds and percentages (emerging Core Strategy Policy CS4)

Affordable housing sub-market area Threshold figure Percentage sought Caister-on-Sea, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth 5 dwellings 20% affordable North and Northern Rural Bradwell, Great Yarmouth South and South 5 dwellings 10% affordable Quay, Gorleston West and South West Rural Great Yarmouth Town Centre 15 dwellings 10% affordable

Future Schemes

3.1.5 In line with the revised figures contained within the emerging Core Strategy, the Council will continue to seek affordable housing as part of new development. If development sites come forward in areas where demand is low (some rural parishes for example), developers will be asked for affordable housing contributions to meet higher demand elsewhere in the borough. Location also has a significant effect on the strategy the Council employs when it comes to the type of affordable housing required. For instance, shared ownership schemes

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are favoured in rural areas rather than the centre of Great Yarmouth or Gorleston where house prices are already relatively affordable.

3.1.6 At present, the Council is working on plans to provide stand alone affordable housing schemes in the borough. Part of the Great Yarmouth Borough Council Beach Coach Station site in Great Yarmouth is currently being developed to include three affordable units. There is also an ongoing development at Covent Garden Road in Caister where six affordable units are under construction. In addition, the Council has received significant section 106 contributions from developers which it is using in conjunction with local parish councils and registered providers (housing associations) to deliver affordable housing schemes.

3.1.7 The Council has also recently sold two large properties to a local developer who is working in partnership with Saffron Housing Trust to provide affordable housing. A total of 26 units will be created through the conversion of Trafalgar House and the Old Fire Station on Hall Quay in central Great Yarmouth.

3.1.8 The key site designation in south Bradwell will incorporate a significant amount of affordable housing, although the exact percentage sought will depend on a viability appraisal. The Council will ask for a higher percentage of one bed units and some bungalows with wheelchair access to address shortfalls of these two dwelling types. In terms of tenure, social rented, affordable rented, low cost home ownership and shared ownership are all currently considered as acceptable.

3.1.9 Great Yarmouth Community Housing is responsible for the management of the Borough Council’s housing stock of some 6,100 homes. They have immediate plans in place to deliver five affordable units in Martham, five units in Caister and three in Bradwell as the first phase of development through the Norfolk Development Company. These will be the first Council homes to be built in around 20 years. There are also a number of other sites identified across the borough which may be suitable for further Council housing although it is yet to be decided which of these will be sold privately and which could be developed for affordable housing.

3.2 Housing: Gypsies and Travellers

Current Provision

3.2.1 Gypsies and Travellers in Norfolk live in a variety of accommodation types. Some are settled in permanent housing or in caravans on authorised sites whilst others live in temporary encampments, either authorised or unauthorised by the landowner. There are currently four transit sites within Norfolk, with one located in the borough of Great Yarmouth at Gapton Hall. It is important to maintain and where possible improve provision for Gypsies and Travellers in order to reduce the number of unauthorised encampments. The Gapton Hall site was extended in 2008 to incorporate 6 new pitches, a new toilet block and play area.

Future Schemes

3.2.2 The Council will safeguard the existing travellers site at Gapton Hall (25 pitches) for use by gypsies and travellers. The Council will also seek to identify additional permanent pitches for use by gypsies and travellers within the borough. In addition, the Council aims to ensure that sites are made available on a temporary basis for travelling show people as and when they are required.

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3.3 Community Facilities: Libraries

Current Provision

3.3.1 There are currently five libraries serving the borough which are all run by Norfolk County Council. These are located in Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Caister and Martham with an additional independent community library in Bradwell. Libraries are important community facilities that provide valuable resources for local people. The County Council also operate a mobile library service which serves rural areas and smaller settlements in the borough. This service is extremely important for those people in more isolated areas without access to the main libraries.

Future Schemes

3.3.2 Housing developers are often required to make library contributions through section 106 agreements if a new housing scheme contributes to demand for library services. This will continue to be encouraged by Great Yarmouth Borough Council in order to maintain the current level of library provision and to finance extra facilities to serve new residents. If new facilities cannot be provided in certain areas, the Council will work with Norfolk County Council to seek an extension to the current mobile library coverage.

3.3.3 Norfolk County Council have identified that proposed development at the strategic key site designation in south Bradwell would place increased pressure on the existing library service, particularly in relation to library stock, such as books and information technology. As a result, they have recommended that developer contributions should be sought to increase the stock and capacity of Gorleston library at a cost of £60 per additional dwelling.

3.4 Community Facilities: Community Centres

Current Provision

3.4.1 There are numerous community centres and village halls throughout the borough, with smaller villages usually having one facility and larger settlements such as Bradwell and Caister having numerous community buildings.

3.4.2 Community and village halls are another important facility that form a focal point for communities, often providing a base for local organisations and events. They help to build local identity and in some more rural areas may be one of the only forms of social infrastructure available to residents. Their importance is recognised in the NPPF which lists the delivery of sufficient community and cultural facilities and services as one of the 12 core planning policies. It is extremely important that they are protected for the future and expanded where needed in order to serve a growing population.

Future Schemes

3.4.3 Developer contributions will be sought through section 106 agreements to fund the continued provision of community centres and/or new facilities on designated key sites. Housing developers are often required to make contributions towards community centre facilities as a new housing scheme contributes to demand for services. This will continue to be encouraged by the Council in order to maintain the current level of provision and to finance extra facilities to serve new residential development.

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3.4.4 The Council is currently working with Martham Parish Council to extend Martham Community Centre. Money received from developer contributions has been transferred to the Parish Council to help fund the extension and to improve the facilities on offer in the village. The key site designation in south Bradwell may include new community facilities which will be required to serve this urban extension.

3.5 Community Facilities: Museums and Cultural Facilities

Current Provision

3.5.1 There are a number of museums in Great Yarmouth borough including the Time and Tide Museum, The Nelson Museum, The Elizabethan House and The Toll House. There are also a number of scheduled ancient monuments such as Caister Castle and two Roman Forts at Burgh Castle and Caister. These are managed by a combination of Norfolk Museums Service, Norfolk County Council and English Heritage. St George’s Theatre on King Street in Great Yarmouth has recently reopened after the St George's Theatre Trust was re-created in 2010 to operate St George's Theatre and manage its restoration on behalf of Great Yarmouth Borough Council. There is also the Pavilion Theatre in Gorleston and the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth, which has been operating since it was built in 1903. All these facilities play a particularly important part in the borough’s tourism industry as they are an alternative to the traditional offer of seaside tourism. They increase the diversity of tourism facilities and provide attractions outside of the traditional summer months. However, they can often be expensive to operate and the Council will therefore seek funding to maintain the current range of museums and cultural attractions in the borough.

3.5.2 Future Schemes

Housing developers are occasionally required to make contributions towards museums and similar attractions through section 106 agreements if a new housing scheme will contribute to demand for services. This will continue to be encouraged by Great Yarmouth Borough Council in order to maintain the current level of provision and to finance extra facilities to serve new residential development.

3.6 Emergency Services: Police

Current Provision

3.6.1 Norfolk Constabulary currently operates three police stations within the borough which are supported by additional police facilities and services. Great Yarmouth police station is a large divisional HQ with a significant staff of 196. Gorleston police station is a smaller deployment base with a staff of 74 whilst Caister police station has a staff of 12. There is also a recently completed police investigation centre built adjacent to Harfrey’s roundabout in Great Yarmouth. This facility has a purpose built custody block which serves the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft area. In addition to these facilities, there are drop-in centres at Great Yarmouth High School, which is used by the local safer neighbourhood team and at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston seafronts, which operate during the summer tourist season.

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Future Schemes

3.6.2 Norfolk Constabulary has published the Great Yarmouth Command Policing Plan to identify the infrastructure required in order to serve the needs of the community taking into account the planned growth in the borough. The impact of proposed growth has been assessed across the whole of the policing command through consultation with area commanders, by analysing current crime levels, anti-social behaviour and other local issues and assessing the size and location of planned development. Norfolk Constabulary has determined that the proposed level of growth in the borough will significantly increase demand for policing services and place increased pressure on the existing infrastructure base. It also acknowledges that as central Government funding has been reduced, funding must be secured through the planning system via section 106 agreements to ensure that policing can be provided commensurate with development growth.

3.6.3 The Great Yarmouth Command Policing Plan identifies the following infrastructure needs as set out below:

Expansion/alteration of Great Yarmouth Police Station to cater for additional staff in terms of work space/parking/equipment storage Land for new deployment base in Gorleston Start up costs for additional staff – to include training, equipment, computers, upgrade for IT/Airwave CCTV, ANPR (automatic number plate recognition)

3.6.4 Although the cost and delivery timescales of policing infrastructure are subject to change, Norfolk Constabulary has provided some estimated figures which are listed in the social infrastructure requirements matrix.

3.7 Emergency Services: Fire

Current Provision

3.7.1 There are three serving fire stations within the borough located at Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Martham, all of which are operated by Norfolk Fire Service. The largest of these is at Great Yarmouth which is a wholetime and retained station. It has four wholetime watches consisting of one watch manager, two crew managers and nine firefighters. It also has a retained crew consisting of one watch manager, two crew managers and nine firefighters. There are also fire safety and administrative staff based there. Meanwhile, Gorleston and Martham are both retained stations also consisting of one watch manager, two crew managers and nine firefighters.

3.7.2 Between 2011-12, the three stations dealt with a total of 2,000 incidents, often assisting fire crews in neighbouring Suffolk. Great Yarmouth fire station alone handled 1,741 of these incidents, making it the busiest fire station in Norfolk.

Future Schemes

3.7.3 New development within the borough will be covered by the existing fire stations within the area. However, Norfolk Fire Service have indicated that the proposed development at the key site designation in south Bradwell will require a total of 25 new fire hydrants of no less than a 90mm main at a cost of £412 each. The onus will be on the developer to finance and

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install the hydrants during construction to the satisfaction of Norfolk Fire Service and at no cost.

3.8 Education Facilities: Schools

Current Provision

3.8.1 Norfolk County Council is responsible for providing educational facilities within the borough although some schools now operate independently as academies. Within Great Yarmouth borough there are 31 primary and infant schools, five secondary schools: Caister High School, Great Yarmouth High School, Cliff Park School and Ormiston Venture Academy (both Gorleston) and Lynn Grove School (Bradwell). There are also two further education colleges: East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Gorleston and Great Yarmouth College, which serve a large catchment area that extends well beyond the borough boundaries.

Future Schemes

3.8.2 New residential development and population increase will inevitably bring an increased demand for school places. Although some local schools have extra capacity, there may be a need for more places to be made available or for completely new education facilities to be built.

3.8.3 Norfolk County Council has calculated that new development on the key site designation in south Bradwell will generate the following demand:

Nursery School: 97 children (3-5) Primary School: 295 children (5-11) Secondary School: 162 children (11-16)

Table 6: Available places at local schools (Sept 2012)

Spare capacity School Capacity Numbers on Roll No. of places Nursery Provision (3-5) 246 196 +50 Hillside Primary School 210 (excluding 235 -25 (5-11) mobiles) Homefield Primary 210 211 -1 School (5-11) Woodlands Primary 420 382 +38 School (5-11) Lynn Grove High School 1125 1119 +6 (Academy) (11-16) Ormiston Venture 900 605 +295 Academy (11-16)

3.8.4 The figures in table 6 show that there is likely to be a deficit of Primary School places in the catchment area for the key site designation in south Bradwell. Therefore, the County Council have presented the following options:

3.8.5 Option 1: Expand existing primary provision in the Bradwell area to accommodate additional children from this proposed development. If this option was preferred the following

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amount(s) would be requested (calculated using the basic need multiplier cost per school place):

For Nursery provision: £5,822 x 64 = £372,608 For Primary school provision: £11,644 x 295 = £3,434,980 For Secondary school provision: £17,546 x 162 = £2,842,452

3.8.6 Option 2: To plan for a new 1.5 form entry (315 places) primary school including nursery provision within the new development to accommodate the additional children. If this option was preferred the following amount(s) would be requested:

1.5ha of land free of charge The cost of building a new 315 place primary school (in the region of £6 - £6.5 million)

3.8.7 For secondary school provision for this option, the County Council expect that Ormiston Venture Academy would be the preferred school and with the amount of spare capacity currently available, no contributions would be sought. However, without changing the catchment boundaries, the new development is still in the catchment of Lynn Grove High School so children who live in this new development would have a right to attend this school if there was space. Therefore, at this stage Norfolk County Council will have to consider both options – either Ormiston Venture Academy with no contributions or Lynn Grove High School with contributions as stated above. Further consultations with local schools are currently being arranged so a clearer strategic plan for the area will be available once these meetings have taken place.

3.8.8 Norfolk County Council has also made comments regarding the development of the Great Yarmouth Waterfront Area Action Plan (AAP) area. They have identified that development of Ice House Quay and Haven Approach would require developer contributions towards expansion of Southtown Infant School, Edward Worlledge Community Junior School and Cliff Park High School as necessary in order to mitigate against the impact of new housing. Development of Bure Harbour would lead to increased demand for places at Cobholm Primary. However, as this school cannot be expanded, the County Council would again seek developer contributions towards expansion of Southtown Infant School, Edward Worlledge Community Junior School and Cliff Park High School as necessary and would also consider distribution of school places across catchment area boundaries.

3.8.9 Although development elsewhere in the borough is likely to be on a smaller scale, it will still contribute towards the demand for school places. Therefore, the Council will continue to seek developer contributions towards school places and educational facilities in these areas where necessary.

3.9 Healthcare: Primary Care Centres

Current Provision

3.9.1 Within the borough there are nine medical centres/doctor’s surgeries, seven dentists and eight pharmacies, all of which are operated by the NHS. The James Paget Hospital in Gorleston is the largest healthcare facility in the borough serving the towns of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston as well as the surrounding rural areas both within and outside the borough boundary.

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3.9.2 Great Yarmouth and Waveney Primary Care Trust has been replaced by HealthEast, which is the clinical commissioning group for the borough. HealthEast works in partnership with other organisations, including Great Yarmouth Borough Council, to buy health services and to improve the health and wellbeing of the residents of Great Yarmouth borough. HealthEast plans which services are needed and agrees contracts with hospitals, mental health trusts and voluntary organisations to provide care for patients within a set budget.

Future Schemes

3.9.3 The James Paget Hospital will continue to be the primary healthcare facility within the borough. However, there are plans for an increased focus on the newly built Greyfriars Health Centre on Greyfriars Way in Great Yarmouth, with the intention to consolidate some existing nearby services into this improved site. Community based services will continue to be based from Northgate Hospital with a focus on delivering healthcare in the home.

3.9.4 Although there are no confirmed schemes in other parts of the borough, Healtheast have aspirations to improve some existing healthcare facilities. These are usually considered on a case by case basis rather than once a critical population mass has been reached. The Shrublands Health Centre in Gorleston needs to be upgraded as it is currently within a temporary modular building that was developed under a 5 year planning consent. The Falklands Surgery in Bradwell may need to be extended, particularly when considering the impact of new residential development at the key site designation. Caister has also been identified as an area of need, with discussions ongoing about the expansion of Caister Health Centre into new premises.

3.10 Leisure Facilities

Current Provision

3.10.1 Some of the sports and leisure facilities within the borough are privately owned, including a number of member only gyms and golf courses, as well as leisure facilities within hotels, private health clubs and schools and colleges. However, there are numerous public sports facilities including football and cricket pitches, tennis courts and bowling greens. These are covered in more detail in section 4.4. The Great Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust, under contract from Great Yarmouth Borough Council, is a not for profit organisation which operates publicly available leisure facilities within the borough. The Trust manages the Marina Centre - the largest sports centre in the area, with a 396m² swimming pool, a gym, indoor bowls, squash and badminton courts, as well as the 250m² Phoenix Pool, which is a smaller swimming pool in Bradwell.

Future Schemes

3.10.2 Great Yarmouth Borough Council has plans to invest £3.5 million in refurbishing the Marina Centre in Great Yarmouth. The Borough Council is working in partnership with the Great Yarmouth Sports and Leisure Trust to significantly improve the existing facilities on offer. This will enhance the Marina Centre’s reputation as one of the largest and most used leisure and sporting facilities in the area.

3.10.3 There are also plans for a new cycle facility located on Great Yarmouth seafront. The Great Yarmouth Bike Project is being set up by Activating CIC, which is a not-for-profit social enterprise that works with the local community, transforming physical activity levels and

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driving grassroots participation in cycling. The project will include bike facilities including a workshop, as well as other community assets such as media facilities, a cafe and rooms for community groups. Although still at the early stages, it is hoped the project will become a significant leisure and sporting facility within the borough.

3.11 Summary of Social Infrastructure

3.11.1 The table below provides a summary of future social infrastructure schemes, with details of how each project will be funded and delivered and the Core Strategy policies that each scheme relates to. At present, the figures in the matrix are estimates and are subject to change.

Table 7: Social infrastructure requirements matrix

Infrastructure Core Estimated Funding Source Phasing/ Delivery Lead Requirement Strategy Cost Critical or Policy Desirable Housing: Affordable Housing Affordable housing CS3 Schemes will Developer Short term GYBC/ scheme and CS4 vary funded (through Critical Registered contribution at Covent CS14 section 106 providers Garden Road, Caister agreement) Stand alone affordable CS3 Schemes will Registered Short - long GYBC/ housing schemes CS4 vary providers term/Critical Registered throughout the borough CS14 providers Affordable housing at CS3 Schemes will Developer Short - long GYBC/ all sites over the CS4 vary funded (through term/Critical Registered relevant size threshold CS14 section 106 providers CS17 agreement) CS18 Community Facilities: Libraries Improve library facilities CS7 Schemes will Developer Short - long Norfolk County across the borough CS15 vary funded (through term/ Council /extend mobile library section 106 Desirable coverage agreement) / Norfolk County Council Increase stock and CS7 £74,000 Developer Short - long Norfolk County capacity at Gorleston CS15 funded (through term/ Council/GYBC library to serve CS18 section 106 Desirable Bradwell key site agreement) / development Norfolk County Council Community Facilities: Community Centre Extend Martham CS7 £63,000 Developer Short term/ GYBC, Martham Community Centre CS15 funded (through Desirable Parish Council section 106 agreement)

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Infrastructure Core Estimated Funding Source Phasing/ Delivery Lead Requirement Strategy Cost Critical or Policy Desirable Improve Community CS7 Schemes will Developer Short - long GYBC, Norfolk Centres across the CS15 vary funded (through term/ County Council borough section 106 Desirable agreement) /Norfolk County Council Emergency Services: Police Great Yarmouth Police CS14 To be Norfolk Long term/ Norfolk Station - construction of assessed Constabulary Desirable Constabulary new or refurbishment of existing facility Gorleston Police Station CS14 To be Norfolk Long term/ Norfolk - construction of new assessed Constabulary Desirable Constabulary suitable facility Caister Police Station - CS14 To be Norfolk Long term/ Norfolk construction of new assessed Constabulary Desirable Constabulary suitable facility Borough wide office CS14 £21,023 per Norfolk Short - long Norfolk space member of Constabulary term/ Constabulary staff Desirable Officer start up costs CS14 £9,157 per Norfolk Short - Norfolk officer Constabulary medium term Constabulary Desirable Police Community CS14 £4,052 per Norfolk Short - Norfolk Support Officer (PCSO) PCSO Constabulary medium term/ Constabulary start up costs Desirable New 4x4 vehicle two CS14 4x4: £24,500 Norfolk Short - Norfolk marked cars, bicycle Marked cars Constabulary medium term/ Constabulary (x2): Desirable £17,045 bicycle: £460 Upgrade Automatic CS14 £5,450 per Norfolk Short - Norfolk Number Plate installation Constabulary medium term/ Constabulary Recognition throughout Desirable borough Upgrade CCTV CS14 To be Norfolk Short - Norfolk throughout borough assessed Constabulary, medium term/ Constabulary, Town Centre Desirable Town Centre Partnership Partnership Emergency Services: Fire 25 new fire hydrants to CS14 £10,300 Developer Short - long Norfolk Fire serve Bradwell key site CS18 funded (through term/Critical Service development section 106 agreement)

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Infrastructure Core Estimated Funding Source Phasing/ Delivery Lead Requirement Strategy Cost Critical or Policy Desirable Educational Facilities: Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools New 315 place primary CS3 £6-6.5 Developer Short - long Norfolk County school on 1.5 hectares CS14 million funded (through term/Critical Council of land on Bradwell key CS18 section 106 site designation OR: agreement) Expand existing Nursery CS3 £372,608 Developer Short - long Norfolk County School provision in the CS14 funded (through term/Critical Council Bradwell area CS18 section 106 agreement) Expand existing Primary CS3 £3,434,980 Developer Short - long Norfolk County School provision in the CS14 funded (through term/Critical Council Bradwell area CS18 section 106 agreement) Expand existing CS3 £6,650,040 Developer Short - long Norfolk County Secondary School CS14 funded (through term/Critical Council provision in the CS18 section 106 Bradwell area agreement) Borough wide CS3 Schemes will Developer Short - long Norfolk County improvements to CS14 vary funded (through term/Critical Council educational facilities section 106 agreement) Healthcare: Primary Health Facilities

No confirmed schemes

Leisure Facilities: Refurbishment of CS8 £3.5million Great Yarmouth Medium term Great Yarmouth Marina Centre CS15 Borough Desirable Borough Council Council/Great Yarmouth Sports and Leisure Trust

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Section 4: Green Infrastructure

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4.1 Open Spaces: Parks and Gardens

Current Provision

4.1.1 Within the borough of Great Yarmouth there is a total of 223.5 hectares of open space provision. This includes a variety of public parks, gardens and green spaces which are managed by Great Yarmouth Borough Council and allotments managed by parish councils and Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Allotment Association. These are extremely important natural features that help to add individual character to different parts of the borough as well as providing leisure and employment opportunities for local residents. They can be an essential component in maintaining sustainable communities, providing a focus for local people and helping to promote healthy lifestyles.

4.1.2 Parks and Gardens are designated into three broad categories:

Neighbourhood parks – areas with limited or no facilities and relatively simple landscaping and planting, used predominantly by the immediate community Middle order parks – areas with typically a wider range of users, with better facilities than that of a neighbourhood park. These parks are typically utilised by more than one local community Strategic parks – areas that people travel to from further afield to access a wide range of facilities, catering for a diverse range of people. Strategic parks will have the largest range of facilities and clear thought will have been put into their design and use for both cultural and educational purposes.

Table 8: Parks and gardens within the borough

Park/Garden Size hectares Designation St Georges Park, GY 1.6 Strategic Park Gorleston Cliffs 10.7 Strategic Park Priory Gardens, GY 1.0 Middle Order Park Waterways Garden, GY 4.3 Middle Order Park Anchor Gardens, GY 0.5 Neighbourhood Park Clock Gardens, GY 0.2 Neighbourhood Park Gorleston Pool Garden 0.3 Neighbourhood Park Harbour Gardens, 0.3 Neighbourhood Park Gorleston Meadow Park, Gorleston 1.6 Neighbourhood Park Middleton Gardens, 0.4 Neighbourhood Park Gorleston South Beach Gardens, GY 0.9 Neighbourhood Park

4.1.3 Maintenance of existing or provision of new open space within the borough is predominantly funded by developer contributions through section 106 agreements. The type and level of provision expected for each new development depends on the specific characteristics of the proposal, the site and its context. In most cases it is necessary to assess the extent and quality of existing infrastructure in the wider area and use this as the basis for deciding on the proposed types of open space or the financial contribution sought.

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Future Schemes

4.1.4 The Borough Council want to ensure that all new developments contribute to the provision of recreational green space and incorporate improvements to the existing green infrastructure according to local circumstances. The Council will continue the current requirement for housing developers to make open space contributions through section 106 agreements if a new housing scheme will contribute towards an increase in demand, in order to maintain the current level of provision and to finance extra facilities to serve new residential development. If new facilities cannot be provided in certain areas, a financial contribution would be sought for the maintenance or creation of new parks and gardens in the vicinity. To serve the increased local population, the key site designations in central Great Yarmouth and at south Bradwell will be required to provide a significant amount of open space on site, in line with nationally recognised guidance.

4.2 Open Space: Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

Current Provision

4.2.1 Sustainable Drainage Systems are an effective method of tackling flooding issues but they can also be used as attractive landscape features that provide accessible open space. The SuDS constructed on Beacon Park in Gorleston act as a landscape feature as well as surface water drainage.

Future Schemes

4.2.2 Please refer to Section 2: Physical Infrastructure, for plans relating to the implementation of SuDS. Paragraph 2.7.4 relates to the use of SuDS to relieve pressure on the wastewater treatment network and paragraph 2.11.5 expands on the use of non-infiltration based SuDS to reduce surface water flooding. As well as their primary purpose of providing surface water drainage, SuDS will also contribute to the green infrastructure within the borough.

4.3 Play Provision: Children’s Play Areas

Current Provision

4.3.1 There are numerous play facilities located throughout the borough which are aimed at a variety of age groups, all of which are managed by Great Yarmouth Borough Council. They have been predominantly funded by section 106 agreements although some have been provided through lottery funding or by community groups. There are a total of 68 publically accessible playgrounds within the borough, and an additional 17 Great Yarmouth Community Housing playgrounds which have access restricted to community residents. Play facilities are classified by three different age ranges, those for juniors (under 8 years), intermediates (6-12 years) and seniors (8-14 years). Play areas are also further classified as follows:

Local Areas for Play (LAP) – an unsupervised area designed for young children enclosed by fencing or other barriers and overlooked by housing Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP) – an unsupervised area equipped for children of early age with consideration for the needs of supervised children from birth to 4 years and unaccompanied children older than 8

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Neighbourhood Equipped Area of Play (NEAP) – an unsupervised site equipped mainly for older children (8-14 years) with consideration for slightly younger supervised or accompanied children, other children and those with special needs.

Future Schemes

4.3.2 New play facilities in the borough will predominantly be funded by developer contributions through section 106 agreements. Facilities are often included within a new housing development or if this is not suitable, a contribution is used towards providing infrastructure elsewhere in the locality. At present, there is a significant amount of section 106 funding available to finance children’s play areas which will see new schemes delivered throughout the borough. This includes £57,000 available for improvements to junior play facilities in Southtown, £55,000 to provide play space and equipment in Bradwell and £20,000 for the refurbishment of the existing Cornfields play area in Bradwell. The Council has also agreed a number of other section 106 agreements which will see developers continuing to contribute towards new play provision in the future.

4.4 Play Provision: Playing Pitches/Sports Facilities

Current Provision

4.4.1 The borough has approximately 111 hectares of playing fields which are largely used for sports activities and approximately 6 hectares of courts, greens and multi-use games areas (used for football, tennis, bowls, netball, basketball, etc) as well as a skate park. The distribution of outdoor sports facilities within the borough is shown in table 7 (where facilities overlap borders, the entire space has been allocated to just one parish). The figures show that many rural parishes are deficient in sports facilities, which closely follows the population distribution of the borough.

Table 9: Distribution of playing fields, courts and greens

Parish Area of Playing Fields Area of Courts & Greens (hectares) (hectares) Ashby with Oby 0 0 Belton with Browston 5.3 0.2 Bradwell 23.3 0.4 Burgh Castle 2.0 0 Caister-on-Sea 7.6 0.3 Filby 2.8 0.2 Fleggburgh 1.7 0.2 Fritton & St Olaves 0 0.1 Great Yarmouth 43.6 3.0 Hemsby 2.0 0.2 Hopton-on-Sea 1.9 0.4 Martham 10.4 0.4 Mautby 0 0.1 Ormesby St Margaret 4.0 0.2 Ormesby St Michael 0 0 Repps with Bastwick 1.3 0.1 Rollesby 2.8 0.1

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Somerton 0 0 Stokesby with Herringby 0 0 Thurne 0 0 West Caister 0 0 Winterton-on-Sea 2.1 0.2 Borough Total 111.1 6.1

Future Schemes

4.4.2 New playing pitches and sports facilities in the borough are predominantly funded by developer contributions through section 106 agreements. Facilities may be included within a new housing development or the Council will require a contribution towards providing infrastructure elsewhere in the locality. At present, there is significant section 106 funding available to finance ‘amenity areas’ which includes provision of new playing pitches and facilities throughout the borough, including £78,000 which is being used for an extension of Gorleston skate park. The Council has agreed a number of other section 106 agreements which will see developers contributing towards playing pitches and open space schemes in the future.

4.5 Biodiversity: Enhancement and Habitat Management and Creation

Current Provision

4.5.1 The borough’s natural environment is rich in biodiversity and includes internationally and nationally recognised nature designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Protected Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Ramsar sites. These designations provide increased protection to a variety of wild animals, plants and habitats and are a vital part of efforts to conserve biodiversity. Alongside these international designations, the borough also has designated protected landscapes including part of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and The Norfolk Broads (part of the National Park family) as well as nationally significant nature conservation sites including Norfolk County Wildlife Sites, National Nature Reserves and Local Nature Reserves.

Future Schemes

4.5.2 The Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) has been developed to translate national objectives set by Government into local action. It contains clear targets and actions that specify what needs to be done, by whom and by when, to conserve Norfolk’s most endangered animals, plants and habitats. The Council aim to ensure new development does not harm biodiversity but improves it where possible. This may be through the provision of new open spaces or more specific measures designed to protect certain species. Biodiversity protection is also likely to be funded by developer contributions received through section 106 agreements. A commuted sum may be required where appropriate to cover the future maintenance of existing habitats and biologically diverse areas. If a development is deemed harmful to local biodiversity, developers will be required to mitigate against these effects by providing adequate compensation which can be used elsewhere in the borough.

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4.6 Summary of Green Infrastructure

4.6.1 The table below provides a summary of future green infrastructure schemes, with details of how each project will be funded and delivered and the Core Strategy policies that each scheme relates to. At present, the figures in the matrix are estimates and are subject to change.

Table 10: Green infrastructure requirements matrix

Infrastructure Core Estimated Funding Phasing Delivery Lead Requirement Strategy Cost Source Critical or Policy Desirable

Open Spaces: Parks and Gardens Open space CS9 Schemes will Developer Short – long term GYBC provision CS11 vary funded Desirable incorporated into CS15 (through new development section 106 agreement) Open Spaces: Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

See Physical Infrastructure requirements matrix

Play Provision: Children’s Play Areas Improvement to CS15 £57,000 Developer Short term/ GYBC junior play provision available funded Desirable in Southtown (through section 106 agreement) Provide play space CS15 £55,000 Developer Short term/ GYBC and equipment in available funded Desirable Bradwell (through section 106 agreement) Refurbishment of CS15 £20,000 Developer Short term/ GYBC Cornfields play area available funded Desirable in Bradwell (through section 106 agreement) Play provision: Playing Pitches/Sport Facilities Expansion of CS15 £78,000 Developer Short term/ GYBC Gorleston Skate Park funded Desirable (through section 106 agreement) Biodiversity: Enhancement through Habitat Management and Creation Enhancement of CS11 Schemes will Developer Short - long term/ GYBC existing biodiversity vary funded Desirable through new (through development section 106 agreement)

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Section 5: Funding and Delivering Infrastructure

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5.1 How is infrastructure funded?

5.1.1 As the types of infrastructure featured in this plan vary greatly, so do the various forms of funding used to deliver them. Given the current financial climate and in particular the Government’s cuts to local authority budgets and public spending, it is particularly important to establish if funding can be secured for infrastructure projects and more importantly, which source it will come from. During the life of this plan, there are likely to be four main sources of funding available to deliver different types of infrastructure.

Central Government

5.1.2 Many large scale strategic infrastructure projects such as public transport provision and energy production are funded by Central Government, often in partnership with the private sector. When such projects are required, they are likely to serve large areas and may require the Council to work in partnership with other stakeholders in order to secure funding for strategic infrastructure. The Government’s National Infrastructure Plan (2011) (and the subsequent 2012 update) contains plans for a number of nationally important infrastructure projects, although these are large scale schemes which are not required to deliver the Great Yarmouth Borough Core Strategy.

5.1.3 The Homes and Communities Agency manages the Local Infrastructure Fund to provide a range of support to deliver the infrastructure needed to boost Enterprise Zone schemes and accelerate locally-supported large scale housing developments. Large scale land, property or commercial projects can apply for a commercial loan or equity for upfront infrastructure work. The Government has also announced some specific funding for Enterprise Zones which continue to offer retained business rates, a proportion of which is reinvested to provide infrastructure and to meet operating costs.

5.1.4 In November 2012, the Department for Transport (DfT) consulted nationwide Local Transport Bodies (LTB) on a new infrastructure funding pot called the ‘Local Pinch Point Fund’ and asked for proposals for a share of the £170 million which would be made available through a competitive bidding process. A share of the Local Pinch Point Fund would be made available to infrastructure projects that could demonstrate a benefit from congestion alleviation and unlocking new growth.

5.1.5 In February 2013, Norfolk County Council (as LTB) jointly submitted a proposal with Great Yarmouth Borough Council for a key section of link road between the A12 and the A143 to help relieve congestion and to unlock up to 1,000 new homes and valuable new employment land to the west of the Enterprise Zone, capitalising on the burgeoning offshore energy industry in the borough and across the region. In June 2013, the A12/A143 bid was successfully announced, as one of only 72 other bids nationwide, at a total project cost of £6.77 million.

Local Government

5.1.6 Local authorities are responsible for funding many types of infrastructure such as waste and recycling collection, parks and gardens and some healthcare facilities. Funding for these projects often originates from Central Government grants as well as contributions from developers through planning obligations (see further detail below). However, the amount of money available from Government grants has reduced significantly. Therefore, local authorities are examining different methods of generating income through new income streams or alternative sources of funding.

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5.1.7 Funding from the European Union has helped to facilitate some projects, but the Government has also put new initiatives in place to help develop infrastructure schemes. This includes the ‘Growing Places Fund’ which aims to generate economic activity in the short term by adressing immediate infrastrucutre and site constraints and promoting the delivery of jobs and housing. The project makes available £500 million worth of funding nationally which can be applied for by Local Enterprise Partnerships in collaboration with local authorities.

5.1.8 The Council also benefits from the New Homes Bonus which is a national pot of almost £1 billion set aside by the Department for Communities and Local Government over the Comprehensive Spending Review period (2011 to 2015). The Government have agreed to match fund Council Tax revenue raised from new homes and properties brought back into use with an additional figure for affordable housing. Local authorities can decide how to spend the money but they are expected to consult local communities to identify needs with a particular focus on infrastructure provision. In 2012-13, Great Yarmouth Borough Council received a total of £274,155 and is set to receive £829,174 in 2013-14.

5.1.9 A further potential source of funding is Tax Increment Financing (TIF) which will allow local authorities to borrow against predicted growth in tax revenues. This will finance the borrowing required to fund public infrastructure improvements that will in turn create the increased revenues. The TIF has the potential to ‘unlock’ future development and infrastructure that is required but may not otherwise be provided due to financial constraints.

Private Sector

5.1.10 Some private sector organisations are required to provide infrastructure improvements when and where they are needed, for example a water company may improve and extend sewage systems to serve new development where necessary. The private sector may also work with local authorities through a number of different partnerships and joint ventures that will often provide mutual benefits.

5.1.11 Planning obligations, which are financial contributions received through section 106 agreements, are one of the major sources of private sector funding. They form part of a legal agreement which requires developers to financially contribute towards infrastructure or to provide facilities that will serve new development. For example, this may include contributions towards a new school, library or open space. Instead of making a direct financial contribution towards a local authority, a developer may also agree to carry out works such as improving road surfaces or building a children’s play area within a new housing scheme.

5.1.12 The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a new system that is replacing section 106 agreements in some areas. The CIL must be levied as a tariff in £’s per square metre of floorspace arising from any chargeable development. The charge is applied to the gross floorspace of most new buildings or extensions to existing buildings. The revenue can then be used by local authorities to support development by funding new infrastructure. Although at present the Council has no plans to introduce CIL, it may be implemented in the borough in the future. The latest CIL regulations have implications for the way that section 106 funding can be used. They state that from April 2015, local authorities can no longer pool section 106 funds from more than five agreements to pay for infrastructure schemes.

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Voluntary and other Agencies

5.1.14 The National Lottery is a significant source of charitable funding that can be used to meet local infrastructure needs. Lottery funding is split into a number of different organistaions that provide funding for different areas. Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts in England, distributing public money from Government and the National Lottery. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) gives grants to sustain and transform heritage ranging from museums, parks and historic places to archeology, the natural environment and cultural traditions. There has been considerable success with HLF projects in Great Yarmouth in recent years including significant funding secured for the redevelopment of St Georges Theatre and the White Lion pub on King Street. Sport England is another branch of lottery funding that invests in projects that help people to start, stay and succeed in sport and physical activity at every level.

5.2 How is infrastructure delivered?

5.2.1 Delivery of infrastructure will involve partnership working between a number of different organisations and stakeholders. This includes the Norfolk Development Company (NDC) which aims to bring together the various development skills and resources of Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council to provide greater capacity for delivery. The company structure provides a mechanism for joint venture activity, which will enable new projects to be agreed and implemented more quickly. Partnership working will also include collaborating with neighbouring authorities on cross boundary issues such as transport infrastructure.

5.2.2 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are another important part of this process. LEPs are voluntary partnerships between local authorities and businesses, formed in 2011 by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. They aim to help determine local economic priorities and lead economic growth and job creation within their local area. New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership is the LEP for Norfolk and Suffolk which acts as a catalyst and commissioning body, bringing together the expertise and knowledge of the private and public sector to help businesses grow. The LEP maintains a strong focus on the energy and tourism sectors particularly within Great Yarmouth borough.

5.2.3 New Anglia has identified business sectors that offer real and immediate potential for jobs growth and is working to help develop these sectors. It provides support for businesses and also some funding for certain projects with major potential for New Anglia funding towards offshore related projects within the borough. New Anglia is also the national leader on developing the green economy, working to provide practical solutions in the development of low-carbon and environmental goods and services. Whilst New Anglia LEP has the energy and tourism sectors as key economic drivers, Wild Anglia is a nature partnership linked to the LEP which aims to strengthen nature for the long term, working to prevent the loss of species and habitats across Norfolk and Suffolk.

5.2.4 The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) work closely with LEPs, local authorities and communities to support and facilitate the delivery of strategies through Local Investment Plans. The HCA have worked with local authorities, either individually or in groups, to draw up Local Investment Plans that reflect local priorities for action and investment. The outcomes of the local investment planning processes reflect local circumstances and priorities and so plans vary significantly in content, focus and length, with an emphasis on priority projects and the support needed over the short and long-term to deliver them.

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Some plans also focus on particular aspects or themes such as increasing the supply of homes for older people or rural communities, or making best use of public assets in a particular area.

5.2.5 Parish Councils and local community organisations are important stakeholders when it comes to identifying local infrastructure needs and helping to deliver new projects. Some parishes have parish plans which can contribute towards this process and the Borough Council will use these documents in order to deliver new services and facilities where they are most needed. There is now also the potential for local community groups to create Neighbourhood Plans (under the Localism Act) which are given more recognition in planning terms.

5.3 Next Steps

5.3.1 The plan concludes that over the lifetime of the Core Strategy, the amount of new development in the borough and the anticipated growth in population will require infrastructure improvements to be provided. The critical areas which have been identified in this version of the plan are:

A new roundabout at Beacon Park and an A12/A143 link road Expanding school facilities in the Bradwell area Improving utility provision at key sites including upgrading water supply and electricity substations Improvements to surface water and waste water drainage systems across the borough Improving communications, in particular broadband facilities Replacing flood walls and improving flood protection in Great Yarmouth Increasing the level of affordable housing in the borough

5.3.2 The requirements summarised above are all ‘critical’ infrastructure requirements which need to be in place before any new development can start. However, obtaining sufficient funding is often the key limiting factor when it comes to delivering infrastructure improvements, especially as the level of funding available at a national, regional and local level has been vastly reduced in recent years, making delivering new infrastructure more challenging. Despite this trend, it is encouraging to see that funding and delivery mechanisms are already in place for many of the ‘critical’ projects identified in this Infrastructure Plan, which should facilitate the growth planned in the emerging Core Strategy.

5.3.3 As the Infrastructure Plan is reviewed, there will be continued discussion with infrastructure providers to inform future versions of the document. It is important that regularly reviewing this document helps to identify new funding sources and delivery mechanisms to ensure the continued provision of infrastructure. This will maintain the delivery of ‘critical’ infrastructure and may unlock funding for other ‘desirable’ projects that are not necessarily needed to facilitate immediate development but are facilities and services that the Council aims to put in place over the lifetime of the Core Strategy. The Infrastructure Plan will then be formally updated and published alongside the Annual Monitoring Report in December each year. This is to ensure it is a ‘living’ document that is able to respond to the frequently changing nature of the supply, demand and planning of infrastructure.

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Strategic Planning Team, Great Yarmouth Borough Council Town Hall, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 2QF Telephone: 01493846626 Email: [email protected]