8 NEWS www.EDP24.co.uk/news Eastern Daily Press, Wednesday, March 28, 2012

(DVWHUQ'DLO\3UHVV The simplified Established 1870 NPPF document Building a strong, sets out 12 core Prospect House, Rouen Road, competitive economy planning principles NR1 1RE Cautious To create jobs and prosperity, local which it says Switchboard 01603 628311 should underpin plans should set out a clear Norwich Newsdesk 07501 481521 strategy which encourages growth, Editor Peter Waters both the creation Senior content editors Peter Hannam of local plans and and identify priority areas for David Powles decision-making: 1 economic regeneration. Land Head of sport Chris Lakey allocations should be regularly Business editor Shaun Lowthorpe reviewed, and the long-term Agricultural editor Michael Pollitt welcome protection of sites for employment Features editor Trevor Heaton Senior photographer Steve Adams use should be avoided where there Correspondents: is no reasonable prospect of a site Crime Peter Walsh being used for that purpose Health Kim Briscoe Education Victoria Leggett Rural Affairs Chris Hill Broads Stephen Pullinger Public Affairs Dan Grimmer for planning Ensuring the vitality Editorial fax 01603 623872 E-MAIL of town centres To contact any of our staff reporters or Planning authorities should recognise correspondents use this style: town centres as the heart of their firstname.surname@.co.uk communities. The NPPF says councils Newsdesk [email protected] Letters [email protected] should apply a sequential test which blueprint requires applications for “main town ADVERTISING centre uses” to be located first in Commercial director Chris Moore 2 In its earlier draft form, the town centres, then in edge-of-centre Advertising 01603 693875 Final revisions to the locations. Meanwhile, out-of-centre Classified 01603 660101 government’s simplified National Leaflets 01603 772130 Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) government’s planning sites not in accordance with local Photo sales 01603 772449 brought howls of criticism from plans should only be considered if www.edp24.co.uk/buyaphoto other suitable sites are not available, Postal subscriptions 01603 772738 outraged conservation groups. reforms have earned a But those initial fears – of a and once the impact of the proposal Advertising fax 01603 623225 on town centre trade has been Email [email protected] development free-for-all which would cautious welcome in concrete over our most treasured considered. ARCHANT ANGLIA countryside – were, for the most part, the countryside. Rural Managing director Johnny Hustler Finance director Luke Stone allayed yesterday by planning minister affairs correspondent Circulation director Don Williamson Greg Clark as he unveiled the final Supporting a revisions to the document. CHRIS HILL reports. prosperous rural 01502 711800 Mr Clark told MPs that 1,000 pages 20 Blyburgate, Beccles NR34 9TB of “impenetrable jargon” had been economy

David Lennard reduced into about 50 pages of clear framework will be how it works in 01263 512732 guidance on the planning policies practice. Local planning policies should support 31 Church Street, Cromer NR27 9ES which should be adopted by local Caroline Davison, planning and rural growth by supporting projects Community editor Richard Batson councils. He said the existing planning campaigns manager for the including building conversions, regime had become too costly, too branch of the Campaign to Protect diversification of agricultural land, DEREHAM 01362 854701 3 tourism and leisure developments Bond House, High St, Dereham complicated and too uncertain in an Rural England (CPRE), said: “The NR19 1DZ economy where houses were urgently government has listened to some of which “respect the character of the Community editor Ian Clarke needed and rural businesses must be the very real concerns many of us countryside”. They should also free to expand and thrive. have about the well-being of our promote the retention of community DISS 01379 651153 The adopted NPPF retains the precious countryside. facilities such as shops, pubs and 26 Mere Street, Diss IP22 4AD churches. Community editor Adam Gretton “presumption in favour of sustainable “It is reassuring that Mr Clark stated development” which was the cause for that the new framework recognises FAKENHAM 01328 862678 much of the earlier consternation. the intrinsic value of the ordinary 22 Norwich Street, Fakenham NR21 9AE But Mr Clark said local plans, rather countryside. In Norfolk 70pc of the Senior reporter Adam Lazzari than regional house-building countryside is undesignated and GREAT YARMOUTH 01493 847954 strategies, would be the keystone of therefore vulnerable to development, 169 King Street, Yarmouth NR30 2PA the new system, and that local and so we will be studying the new Community editor Anne Edwards decisions would balance the social, wording of this part of the framework Promoting sustainable economic and environmental factors with great interest. KING’S LYNN 01553 777622 which define a “sustainable “It has been the CPRE argument all transport St Ann’s House, St Ann’s Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1LT development”. along that planning regulation is not The transport system needs to be Community editor Chris Bishop The minister also offered an the main thing holding back the “balanced in favour of sustainable assurance that the new guidance economy. There is little evidence that transport modes”, with 020 7219 3384 would not override existing protections the reforms will provide the required encouragement given to solutions Press Gallery, House of Commons, London for green belts, national parks and economic boost, but they could SW1A 0AA 4 which support reductions in Political editor Joseph Watts sites of special scientific interest, and seriously affect national well-being if greenhouse gas emissions and London correspondent Ian Collins that it recognised the “intrinsic value” they are allowed to do long-term reduce congestion. Large-scale of all countryside, whether or not it damage to our countryside.” housing developments should be 01502 525835 was designated. Richard Powell, director for the laid out with a mix of uses so that 147 London Road North, Rural campaigners said they National Trust in the , Lowestoft NR32 1NB schools and shops are located Community editor Max Bennett believed the minister had made said he was pleased that the within walking distance of most “significant progress” towards controversial “default yes” to properties. SWAFFHAM 01362 854703 meeting their concerns, and welcomed development had been removed from Senior reporter Daisy Wallage the acknowledgement that use of the NPPF – but he also retained some brownfield land should be a core concerns. “I’m concerned that THETFORD 01362 854714 Senior reporter Rebecca Gough planning objective. But they said the although on paper the government ultimate proof of the new policy has listened to reason, the places we The authority, along with its partner month. That will provide some Twitter: twitter.com/edp24 love may still be under threat from a councils in Norwich and South protection for our communities Facebook: facebook.com/edp24 system that is under-resourced,” he Norfolk, also faces uncertainty over against inappropriate speculative said. “The danger is that nearly half the Joint Core Strategy (JCS) which applications by giving some SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE (SMS): For full competition terms, privacy policy and of the local authorities in England outlines house-building targets across consistency and transparency to the opt out visit www.edp24.co.uk/terms. have still to finalise their core the Greater Norwich area – elements sort of criteria that members of the By responding to promotions, offers and strategies (which plan development in of which were successfully challenged council will need to apply when competitions you agree that the EDP and the long-term) and the reforms give by a local campaign group. considering applications.” other Archant companies may contact you by them very little time to adopt them. I A spokesman for Broadland District Stewart Lindsay, a member of the email, post or SMS with offers that may be of interest. You will not be charged for fear that in the short term at least, a Council said: “We broadly welcome Stop Norwich Urbanisation (SNUB) receiving these messages. You may opt out lack of clarity across the country and the NPPF because it simplifies group which raised the legal challenge anytime by texting STOP to the originating a shift in lobbying and pressure by government guidance and will against the JCS, said: “We welcome number. developers may cause real damage to therefore make the planning process the fact that we still have robust the nature of the communities we all more accessible for all concerned. planning legislation there to stop Material accepted for publication in the EDP may also be published on the internet. live in and love.” “However, concerns have been raised speculative developers from running The EDP is fully committed to One of the many planning by some people that the framework amok – providing the government Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. authorities yet to complete its local will result in some significant gaps in sticks to its word and gives power to If you have a complaint which cannot be development framework is Broadland planning guidance. So in order to the local people. Local people should resolved by the editor, write to the Press District Council, which is preparing make sure that residents are not be involved in saying what their needs Complaints Commission, Halton House, 22-23 Holborn, London EC1N 2JD an interim planning policy to stave affected by any such gaps Broadland are.” The Country Land and Business off any speculative planning is working on an interim planning Association, (CLA) said the planning ‘NEW WORDING’: Caroline Davison, applications until specific growth policy statement which we are reforms were a “shot in the arm” www.EDP24.co.uk of the CPRE. plans can be finalised. confident will be agreed by next which could kick-start rural Eastern Daily Press, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 www.EDP24.co.uk/news NEWS 9

Supporting high quality Meeting the challenge of climate change, communications flooding and coastal While the development of high- Promoting healthy change speed broadband and other communities communications networks is seen Planning authorities should adopt as vital to enhance local community Councils should involve all sections of proactive strategies to ensure facilities and services, the NPPF the community in the development of development can adapt to climate 5 change, taking full account of flood says new radio and local plans. Existing open spaces and 10 telecommunications masts should playing fields should not be built on risk, coastal change and water be sympathetically designed and unless the area has clearly been shown supply considerations. New kept to a minimum, with the use of to be surplus to requirements or if the development should be energy- 8 efficient and planning authorities existing masts or buildings preferred proposed development would offer properties. equivalent or better provision. Local should recognise the responsibility communities should be able to gain on all communities to contribute special protection for green areas of to energy generation from particular importance by designating renewable or low carbon Conserving and them as “Local Green Spaces”, which sources. will rule out new development except enhancing the historic in “very special circumstances” environment Local planning authorities should set out a positive strategy for the 12 conservation of the historic environment, including heritage assets most at risk through neglect, Delivering a wide decay or other threats. choice of high Conserving and quality homes enhancing the Councils must objectively assess natural environment the housing types and tenures Protecting Green “Great weight” should be given to needed in their area, and identify a Belt land conserving landscape and scenic 6 supply of “specific deliverable sites” beauty in areas including National Green Belt policy aims to sufficient to provide five years worth Parks, the Broads and Areas of prevent urban sprawl by of housing. Policies should not be Outstanding Natural Beauty, where restricting the growth of 11 considered up-to-date if the council planning permission should be refused 9 designated built-up areas and cannot demonstrate a five-year for major developments except in preventing neighbouring towns supply of deliverable housing sites. exceptional circumstances. Councils from merging into one another. should consider setting a locally- appropriate target for the use of brownfield land, which should be encouraged through planning policies.

EDP SPRING Requiring good design FLING Good design is highlighted as a key 2012 aspect of sustainable development, with local policies expected to 7 ensure the development will add to the overall quality of the area, optimise the potential of the site, respond to local character and sustain an appropriate mix of uses including green and public spaces.

Food and farming innovation. CLA East regional for local families in the East of fun for surveyor Tim Isaac said: “The section England were being built, while on supporting a prosperous rural average house prices had more than children – economy is excellent, laying the doubled in the last decade from £86,950 foundations for the growth of all types in 2000 to £195,000 in 2010 – 7.5 times Thursday, of business in rural areas. the average income. “This includes conversion of David Henry, head of planning for April 12 existing buildings, constructing well- Savills estate agents in the East, designed new ones, allowing new added: “Regionally we face at the land-based rural businesses to get considerable growth pressures, started and helping farmers to particularly for much needed new Norfolk diversify. We are even hopeful that it homes, as well as being at the forefront may pave the way for a more positive of economic recovery. Planning has Show- and flexible approach towards on- an important role to play in helping farm reservoirs, so desperately needed this to happen. The streamlining of ground to maintain food production in the policies in this way has to be eastern region, especially in times of welcomed. Tickets drought.” “However, it is not a green light for Other groups which welcomed the all development. Planning applications on sale final NPPF included the Home will still have work through the local Builders Federation, which earlier system not against it.” at EDP this month released figures showing N COMMENT – Page 20 that only 44pc of the houses needed N [email protected] offices