North Runcton and West Winch Neighbourhood Plan Plan Period 2014 - 2026

Prepared by North Runcton and West Winch Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group – November 2014 North Runcton and West Winch Neighbourhood Plan

CONTENTS

1 Introduction Why did North Runcton and West Winch need a neighbourhood plan?

2 Community Involvement Shared vision for the future Consultation and evidence gathering

3 About North Runcton and West Winch Parishes 3.1 General Context 3.2 Historical Development 3.3 North Runcton and West Winch Today

4 Planning Policy Context

5 The Neighbourhood Plan Vision, Aims and Objectives

6 North Runcton and Neighbourhood Plan Policies 6.1 Policies for Landscape and Environment 6.2 Policies for Development and Housing 6.3 Policies for the Local Economy 6.4 Policies for Society, Community and Culture 6.5 Policies for Transport

Figures: Figure 1.0 – North Runcton and West Winch Neighbourhood Plan Area. Figure 2.0 – Principal Green Infrastructure. Figure 3.0 – Local Infrastructure. Figure 4.0 – ‘Green Assets’ (Policy EN01). Figure 5.0 – ‘Settlement Concept’ diagram. Figure 5.1 – Central West Winch. Figure 6.0 – Key Employment Areas. Figure 7.0 – A10 Road Corridor Improvements

Appendices: A. Sustainability of the Plan and Evidence Base B. Monitoring and Review C. London Plan Implementation Framework Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance Nov 2012. (Relating to Neighbourhood Plan Policy DH19) D. Memorandum of Agreement (West Winch and North Runcton Parish Councils). E. North Runcton and West Winch Age Structures. F. North Runcton and West Winch Character Areas – Local Analysis G. Sites of Special Local Value (including photographs). H. North Runcton/West Winch Surface Water Management Study (2014). Mid-Level Commissioners for the East of Ouse, Polver and Nar Internal Drainage Boards. I. Consultation Statement.

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1. INTRODUCTION

The North Runcton and West Winch Neighbourhood Plan sets out a vision, supported by planning policies, that will guide development in both parishes for the period until 2026.

The Government introduced Neighbourhood Plans following the Localism Act of 2011. Neighbourhood Plans are not mandatory, but can be undertaken by communities who feel strongly about how future planning processes and development will occur in their area. Neighbourhood Plans are developed through a process of community consultation but they must follow higher level planning policy set by central government and the local planning authority. Draft plans have to be approved by an independent planning examiner and are finally agreed by the community through a local referendum.

Why did North Runcton and West Winch need a neighbourhood plan? In 2011 the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk (BCKLWN) adopted their Local Development Framework Core Strategy (July 2011) (LDF CS) setting out a spatial planning framework for the entire Borough until 2026. In this document a large area south- east of King’s Lynn (falling within the parishes of North Runcton and West Winch) was identified for major urban expansion – with 1600 dwellings proposed for the period to 2026. It was subsequently confirmed that the south-east King’s Lynn area was favoured for ongoing urban expansion beyond 2026, likely to amount to over a thousand dwellings, employment sector development and associated community and transport infrastructure.

The Parish Councils of West Winch and North Runcton agreed to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan in order to allow residents to have more say in how such developments plans come forward. In October 2012 the two Parish Councils signed a memorandum of agreement to work together to produce one Neighbourhood Plan covering the entire area of both parishes – utilising a steering group including Parish Councillors and other interested residents (refer to Appendix G).

Preparation of the plan has involved collaboration and consultation with a wide variety of agencies, landowners and their representatives, community groups, local businesses and residents. The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group obtained assistance from the Prince’s Foundation organisation, Locality and Planning Aid who were able to offer independent expertise and advice on a variety of planning matters with a grant from the Community Development Foundation. The Steering Group would like to thank all those people who have assisted in the preparation of the plan.

The Neighbourhood Plan provides a policy framework that will not only define future development in the area, but should also nurture a vibrant, integrated community, an attractive, healthy environment and a thriving local economy. However the plan can only provide some guidance in these matters. It will be essential that all residents and stakeholders embrace the spirit of the plan and work together to support and develop the aims and objectives it sets out.

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2. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Shared vision for the future The neighbourhood planning process provides communities with an opportunity to develop a shared vision for their future community. However in planning there is often need for compromise – inevitably we have needed to agree plans and policies that are considered best for ‘most of the people most of the time’.

Consultation and evidence gathering Community consultation about potential development in West Winch and North Runcton began with public workshops in 2010. Since then further consultation events and focus groups have been held with residents, landowners, developer groups, community groups, local businesses and other interested parties. All residents were asked to complete a questionnaire to identify local needs and aspirations in 2012, whilst many people attended a weekend exhibition and commented at length on draft policies in 2013.

Throughout the process, draft plans, policies and issues concerning the development of the neighbourhood plan have been widely publicised through parish council meetings, local newsletters and on the parish websites. A full consultation statement is provided as supporting evidence with this plan.

When adopted the Neighbourhood plan will form part of a suite of documents, along with the BCKLWN Core Strategy and Detailed Policies and Sites Plan, which together will guide and inform future development.

Consultation exhibition – June 2013.

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3. ABOUT NORTH RUNCTON AND WEST WINCH PARISHES

3.1 General Context The Neighbourhood Plan area lies south-east of King’s Lynn and is approximately 14 sq km in size (West Winch 8 sq km and North Runcton 6 sq km). It constitutes the entire area of both parishes. West Winch village has, ‘clusters’ of development including ‘old’ West Winch centred around the medieval church of St Mary’s, several 20th century housing estates and Setchey village in the south. North Runcton is a smaller settlement lying to the east of West Winch based around New Road, Rectory Lane and Common Lane, with All Saints church and a small village green defining the village centre. Both West Winch and North Runcton parishes include linear development along the A10. The Hardwick roundabout, a section of the A149 and commercial development to the north (Hardwick Industrial Estate) falls partly within North Runcton parish.

BCKLWN’s Landscape Character Assessment (2007) describes the area as Farmland with Woodland and Wetland, a ‘medium scale mixed farming landscape, flat to gently undulating with some woodland and open water’. This description is most appropriate for the landscape around North Runcton and the landscapes towards Middleton and Bawsey to the north. However the west and south of West Winch parish falls within the flat, open ‘fenland’ character type and West Winch can be said to be a ‘fen edge’ settlement – having grown on the higher ground adjacent the rich, low lying fenland associated with the River Nar valley and the Great Ouse further to the west.

Figure 1.0. The North Runcton and West Winch Neighbourhood Plan Area

3.2 Historical Development Pre-historic finds in the area indicate early colonisation. Iron Age settlement has been found in parts of North Runcton and the A10 corridor is likely to have been a principal route into North Norfolk for the Romans. Both North Runcton and West Winch were recorded in the Domesday Book. Common lands that may have been set out as early as Saxon times are still a significant feature in the landscape of West Winch and North Runcton.

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The Gurney banking family had a large country house and owned surrounding farmland at North Runcton in the 19th century – although the house was demolished in the 1960s. In the 1920s West Winch was the location of a short lived ‘oil rush’ when underlying shales were thought to contain substantial oil reserves. A brewery once operated at Setchey whilst a substantial Royal Engineers service base was located on the A10 in the Second World War (now ‘Coolstak’). From the late 1960s both West Winch and North Runcton became favoured dormitory villages for King’s Lynn with substantial new residential development. This late 20th century housing now characterises large parts of both villages, but a scattering of older buildings, some utilising carrstone, pantile and local bricks, are still evident and provide local character.

3.3 North Runcton and West Winch today Today the setting of North Runcton and West Winch is still predominantly rural in character, with the main settlements set within large areas of arable land and including some substantial blocks of permanent pasture.

In the BCKLWN Core Strategy, West Winch is identified as a ‘settlement adjacent to King’s Lynn’ where ‘development will take place … where it can demonstrate a positive impact on the adjacent Sub Regional Centre/Main Town and which will assist in both maintaining and enhancing the provision of services, employment and local retail needs’ (Policy CS02). North Runcton is identified as a ‘smaller village’, defined as ‘villages with little or no services. It would be inappropriate to seek further development in these places’ (6.1.14). Much of the area defined for urban expansion south-east of King’s Lynn and referred to as ‘West Winch’, actually lies within the parish of North Runcton.

In 2013 the populations of West Winch and North Runcton were approximately 2695 and 549 respectively. ONS statistics for 2010 indicate a relatively high proportion of over 65s with less than 15% children under 15 years of age.

Environment. There are small historic core areas in both villages (centred near the churches) and there are other scattered features of heritage interest in both parishes. As well as the churches there are six other Grade II listed buildings in the neighbourhood plan area. There are no conservation areas. Mature trees add to village character, especially at North Runcton, and there are several Tree Preservation Orders in both parishes. Other features of local environmental significance include two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (the River Nar and an area of geodiversity at Setchey), three County Wildlife Sites (including the entire West Winch Common), ponds, ditches, tracks and lanes and a notable number of veteran trees. As noted above, both parishes have extensive grazing commons.

The neighbourhood plan area has a varied geology – but much of it is underlain by clay. This and low lying topography have led to localised flooding issues. A study undertaken on behalf of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, The North Runcton/West Winch Surface Water Management Study (2014)1 has highlighted the importance of east-west drainage courses - as virtually the entire area drains first to the Puny Drain at the south and western edge of West Winch, and ultimately to the River Ouse. The study also highlighted the relatively poor drainage infrastructure relating to some previous

1 Middle Level Commissioners for the East of Ouse, Polver and Nar Internal Drainage Board. North Runcton and West Winch Surface Water Management Strategy (April 2014)

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developments, the lack of records of previous drainage infrastructure and the lack of regular maintenance to important drainage features such as ditches.

Other significant infrastructure in the local landscape includes two high pressure gas mains (that have a ‘non-build’ safety buffer associated with them which is 160 metres wide), and an overhead National Grid power line.

Roads and Transport. The A10 and the A47 are important elements of the regional road network (although only the A47 is classed as a regional trunk road). Both roads are influential in defining the character of West Winch and North Runcton. The high level of traffic2 and especially the high number of large goods vehicles, adversely affect the settlements – especially along the A10, where turning into the road is problematic, cycle and pedestrian crossing is dangerous and buildings including the Parish Church suffer structurally. The majority of West Winch residents live to the west of the A10 so that the A10 is the only route in and out of the village.

The Hardwick roundabout is a key junction in the regional network and a gateway to King’s Lynn. It is prone to rush hour and seasonal congestion that regularly backs-up on the adjoining roads, especially the A10, leading to several miles of slow moving tailbacks through both parishes. Residents have expressed great concern about the impact of additional development in the parishes that will increase traffic on these main road routes.

Although the area is used for recreation and exercise (walking / jogging / cycling / riding), in reality there are few off-road public paths. Grazing commons provide limited public access. The main roads act as barriers to safe non-vehicular access and cycle access provision is limited. ‘Rat running’ along local lanes (especially through North Runcton) is a growing problem as drivers try to avoid the Hardwick roundabout.

Community and Culture. Twenty seven community related organisations were initially identified in the two parishes including churches and sports clubs. There are four meeting halls (including the William Burt Social Club at West Winch and the Village Meeting Place at North Runcton) which are well used. Two Anglican churches have dwindling congregations but the large Plymouth Brethren community have one large meeting hall in West Winch and another in North Runcton. Scouts and Guides have a hall and campsite at North Runcton. Popular sports clubs include football and bowls at West Winch, and tennis and cricket at North Runcton, although the latter two facilities are on private land. There is no public play facility at North Runcton, but at West Winch there is a tennis court and children’s play area.

Currently there are no GP practices in either parish and the nearest surgeries are Watlington and King’s Lynn. Although the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is only 3km away there is no direct bus service. There is a private dental practice at Leete Way, West Winch. It is recognised that if Core Strategy plans are realised there could be a potential population of 6000 residents in the parishes by 2026 and a local GP and additional dental surgery would be desirable if not essential.

There are a variety of hobby clubs and societies that meet within both villages – including art clubs, amateur radio, railway and a range of entertainments at the William Burt Social

2 Figures provided from previous studies suggest that the average daily vehicle count for the A10 is presently around 18,000 and for the A47, 14,000. Seasonal effects are notable (eg holiday traffic to North Norfolk in the summer and HGV traffic to Wissington sugar beet factory in winter).

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Centre. However, consultation has revealed a desire for more social events and communal activities.

Schools. West Winch primary school is a popular local school located in the heart of the village. Built in the 1960s with an attractive and spacious campus and a capacity for 219 pupils3. In early 2013 the indicated a prediction of more than 220 pupil places in coming years (without major housing development). North Runcton has no school and falls within the catchment for Middleton (neighbouring parish) which in 2013 had slightly less than its 120 pupil capacity – but was overcrowded in older classes. The principal catchment secondary school for both villages is the King’s Lynn (Park) Academy.

Employment/Businesses. Within the Neighbourhood Plan area there are two main areas of employment land. One is the Hardwick Industrial Estate which includes a new Sainsbury store and Pinguin Foods – a vegetable packing firm. Outline planning consent exists for an additional 26Ha extension to the industrial estate (falling mainly within North Runcton), where the developer claimed the site might support 3000 new jobs. The second notable employment area is at Garage Lane, Setchey, at the southern end of West Winch, which includes construction, light industrial and retail related businesses.

Other businesses in the plan area include a large haulage and cold-store firm, fuel station, pub and Chinese restaurant all along the A10, and a caravan/campsite in North Runcton. There is a post office, convenience store, carpet warehouse, chip shop and other small retail outlets at West Winch. The essentially agricultural setting means there are a variety of farms and farm-based businesses – including haulage, poultry and diversified enterprises within farm buildings. Consultation has also established that there is a variety of home-based business locally – including professional services and trades.

3 School numbers are from consultation with the head teachers – early 2013.

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4. Planning Policy Context

Although the local community decide what is included in the Neighbourhood Plan, the final document must comply with the Localism Act 2011 and conform to ‘higher level’ planning policy. This includes international legislation e.g. EU obligations on environmental impact and habitat regulations and Human rights law, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the strategic policies of the BCKLWN local plan and a suite of other national, regional and district wide planning guidance documents. In particular these have included:  The BCKLWN Core Strategy (adopted 2011)  The emerging BCKLWN Detailed Policies and Sites Plan (2013) (A final version of this document is due to be adopted in 2015. It has been pertinent to refer to it)  The King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Green Infrastructure Study (2009)  The BCKLWN Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (2011)  The King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Landscape Character Assessment (2007)

In addition local evidence has been obtained from bodies including Norfolk County Council, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, National Grid Transco, Anglia Water, the Highways Agency, the local Internal Drainage Boards, landowners and local community groups and organisations. The Steering Group commissioned North Runcton/West Winch Surface Water Management Study (2014) to help identify appropriate planning considerations for drainage in the area.

What the Neighbourhood Plan policies aim to achieve The Neighbourhood Plan will add more detailed and focused policy to that outlined in the documents above. It will help define:  Detailed site planning policy and development boundaries  Local policy on green infrastructure provision, sustainability requirements and open space planning – including sustainable urban drainage  Additional guidance on the design and character of buildings, spaces and corridors – and ‘precincts’ within the overall ‘neighbourhood’  Local transport infrastructure, including public transport provision and cycle and footpath networks  Community facilities, including schools and health infrastructure  Employment areas, including local retail.

The Neighbourhood Plan will help to underpin three aspects of sustainable development that are central to the National Planning Policy Framework.  an economic role – contributing to building a strong, responsive and competitive economy  a social role – supporting a strong, vibrant and healthy community,  an environmental role – contributing to protecting and enhancing our natural, built and historic environment.

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5. THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN VISION, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Vision

West Winch and North Runcton will be closely linked parishes with separate communities that are popular and attractive places to live. They will remain distinct from King’s Lynn characterised by a predominantly rural setting. They will have a range of excellent facilities allowing residents of all ages to live, work, play and contribute fully to the on- going success of the communities.

The Aims and Objectives

Aims: (What we hope to achieve)

To support the development of high quality, sustainable and successful new neighbourhoods whilst nurturing and enhancing the lives of existing residents in West Winch and North Runcton.

To safeguard the unique and distinctive physical and cultural assets of the parishes, using these to shape the future environment and community.

Environment To create a network of green spaces and corridors that sustain a sense of rural living and are utilised and respected by everyone. To sustain and safeguard agriculture in the parish in tandem with improved rural access and recreational opportunities for village residents whilst supporting local wildlife.

Social To nurture a diverse and supportive community with excellent internal communication and close links to neighbouring communities. To ensure there are spaces, institutions and events where the whole community can meet and socialise.

Economy To provide a setting that fosters sustainable and rewarding jobs and supports education and skills development. To ensure that residential expansion is supported by commensurate local employment expansion.

Transport To enable local people to go about their business in a timely manner. To reduce the domination of through traffic on residents’ day-to-day lives. To provide an excellent network of road, cycle and footpaths that allow genuine choice in future transport options and mitigate against excessive road traffic and car dependency.

Sustainability To provide new housing which is high quality in plan, size and materials, adapted to the expected results of climate change and suitable for the whole-life needs of residents.

Objectives: (How the plan will achieve its aims)

Environment Identify and protect natural and cultural environmental assets. Where development will result in loss or degradation of assets there will be adequate sustainable compensation, Policy will promote ‘joined-up thinking’ so that environmental assets can, where possible, be ‘multi-functional’ with, for example, benefits for recreation, local biodiversity, drainage, access provision and landscape amenity. Policy will encourage community use of green space and community involvement in management. It will seek

Page 10 of 57 to ensure that long-term management and maintenance requirements are identified and provided for. It will require appropriate land allocation so that sustainable ‘breaks’ are established between settlements.

Social Planning will ensure that new development brings new community facilities that benefit all residents and bring people together. The plan will require that key social centres such as primary schools, community halls and health facilities are established at an early stage of development so as to foster social links and organisations.

Economy Policy will encourage planning applications that create sustainable job opportunities without adverse impacts on the environmental, social or cultural character of the community. It will support home working and small-scale business. Policy will encourage development that will support local shops, trades and services.

Transport Policy will seek to mitigate traffic and environmental problems on the A10 encouraging a future road hierarchy that will reduce the impact of proposed development. It will encourage and support traffic calming measures. It will encourage high standards of public transport, cycle path and footpath infrastructure.

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6. North Runcton and West Winch Neighbourhood Plan Policies

The BCKLWN Detailed Policies and Sites Plan and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal are still at consultation stages. For the proposals in West Winch and North Runcton there are substantial matters to be resolved regarding infrastructure provision (notably roads and drainage). There are matters to resolve regarding land ownership and the ‘shared responsibilities’ regarding required infrastructure provision. There are important and influential decisions to be made about the density and style of development. There are a variety of ‘unknowns’ including future demographics and employment patterns.

The many unresolved parameters that will affect development in the area have made preparation of appropriate neighbourhood plan policy very difficult and the following assumptions have had to be made.  The Neighbourhood Plan will only address development goals that have been set out in existing, adopted, BCKLWN policy. This is essentially the Core Strategy – where the most relevant policy for North Runcton and West Winch is the goal to see 1600 new dwellings and associated supporting infrastructure by 2026. The Core Strategy also suggests that such development will ‘establish a direction for future growth’ although this is not further defined.  It is assumed that a master plan will evolve and be adopted by BCKLWN which will identify the preferred layout for the above development until 2026. The neighbourhood plan seeks to identify the locations where the community would prefer such development to take place – utilising brownfield land, creating opportunities to enhance existing settlement structure, improving existing infrastructure and safeguarding good agricultural land and landscape assets.  It is assumed that development up to 2026 will focus on three settlement ‘villages’ – ‘old’ West Winch, North Runcton and a new ‘village’ at Constitution Hill.  The ‘villages’ will be separated by protected farmland and green space. Green space will serve multifunctional purposes including recreation and public amenity, surface water management, nature conservation and non-vehicular access corridors. Safety buffer zones associated with the gas pipelines will be incorporated into this non- development land.  It is anticipated that the BCKLWN masterplan will include a substantial new north- south road corridor (the ‘parallel route’) that will relieve some of the traffic impact to the A10.  It is anticipated the BCKLWN masterplan will enshrine sustainable development – and especially an integrated approach to transport provision. The neighbourhood plan seeks to promote ‘walkable’ local centres and a comprehensive network of cycle and foot paths – including links to amenities and centres outside the neighbourhood plan area.

Making these assumptions has enabled the neighbourhood plan team to prepare plans and policies that we believe would assist development of sustainable communities and achieve the vision, aims and objectives set out above.

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6.1 Environment Policies

Community consultation has confirmed that the rural character and access to the ‘natural’ landscape within the parishes is highly cherished and that the potential loss of this resource is the greatest fear from future development. Regularly seeing and watching wildlife (deer, badger, hedgehogs, owls, woodpeckers, bats, frogs and newts) is a valued pastime. The low density and linear arrangement of much of the existing settlements allows many residents to have direct views or close connections to open countryside.

“Preserve as much open space accompanied by nature as possible throughout the villages” Comment received in 2013 consultation.

Nevertheless, existing designated footpath access in the locality is limited. Common-land areas have grazing rights and restricted public access. Conflict can arise between stock managers and dog walkers. Both West Winch and North Runcton have been identified as deficient in public open space (West Winch in ‘green space’ and North Runcton in ‘outdoor sports provision’ - BCKLWN Sports Recreation and Open Space Assessment Study, 2006).

Sections of both villages are characterised by mature trees but many are reaching stages of decline and there is little replacement planting. Climate change and new threats such as pests and diseases that affect trees (eg Ash dieback) are likely to further impact on the existing resource. Sites proposed for large scale development that would accord with the BCKLWN Core Strategy would impact on local biodiversity and informal recreation assets (e.g. an application by Hopkins Homes at Constitution Hill would remove over 30 Ha of diverse semi-natural habitat). Infill development within the settlements would be likely to result in the loss of small paddocks, trees, large gardens and other natural assets that presently enhance the local environment and retain ‘rural’ character. Tree and hedge loss due to modern farming practice is also evident in the area. A range of other adverse environmental impacts are anticipated to result from the scale of development indicated in the Core Strategy – including noise, light spill, pollution (notably from traffic and new roads) and increased visitor pressure on existing ‘green space’ resources.

Sustainable surface water drainage must be integrated into new development (Core Strategy CS08). The North Runcton and West Winch Surface Water Management Strategy (2014), produced to inform the neighbourhood plan, indicates how required drainage infrastructure can be integrated into an open space network.

A large allocation of ‘Green Infrastructure’ (GI) is therefore considered to be essential to serve existing and new residential areas, to offset and mitigate development impacts and to make good existing deficiencies. GI might include public open spaces, allotments, nature reserves, surface water attenuation areas, amenity planting and non-vehicular path corridors. In some cases GI may be delivered within development sites, but in many cases it is anticipated that several developments may need to contribute to ‘strategic’ GI located partly or wholly outside an application boundary. Areas unsuitable for housing

Page 13 of 57 development may be suitable for GI provision (e.g. the gas main corridors and buffer zones adjacent road corridors).

NPPF para 109 and 114 states that “…Local authorities should set out a strategic approach in their Local Plans, planning positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure”. Through reference to current standards and guidelines the Neighbourhood Plan proposes areas of public open space, playing field, nature area and other ‘GI’ commensurate with the estimated future population. Some relevant open space provision guidance is summarised as follows:

Document Recommendations Natural England Accessible Recommends that everyone, wherever they live, should have access to Natural Greenspace natural greenspace: Standard (ANGSt 2010)  of at least 2 hectares in size, no more than 300 metres (5 minutes walk) from their home;  at least one accessible 20 hectare site within two kilometres of home;  one accessible 100 hectare site within five kilometres of home; and  one accessible 500 hectare site within ten kilometres of home; plus  a minimum of one hectare of statutory Local Nature Reserves per thousand population. (William Burt playing field approximately 3.5Ha, North Runcton cricket and tennis ground (private) approx. 2.0Ha) Woodland Trust ‘Woodland No person should live more than 500 metres from at least one area of Access Standard’ accessible woodland of no less than 2 hectares in size; There should also be at least one area of accessible woodland of no less than 20 hectares within 4 kilometres (8 kilometre round‐trip) of every persons home. (‘Sheeps Course’ Wood adjacent A47 approximately 3.0Ha, but more than 500m from any existing settlement). No other notable woodland on public footpaths in either parish). Fields in Trust, (2008) Recommend 6 acres (2.4 Ha) of recreational space should be provided for (Formally NPFA) every 1000 people. 1.2 Ha per 1000 people should be designated pitch space

BCKLWN draft Detailed Policy POAW7 suggests 56sqm new recreational open space per dwelling Policies and Sites Plan (2013) National Society of Recommend a minimum provision of 20 allotment plots per 1,000 Allotment and Leisure households, (approximately 8.5 plots per 1000 population or 0.21 hectares Gardeners (NSALG) per 1000 population – where a standard allotment is 250 sq metres).

EN01 Protecting sites of local value Following consultation with local residents the following sites and areas have been identified as locally important environmental assets that either contribute significantly to landscape character, support local biodiversity, have local heritage value or contribute in some other way to the quality and diversity of the local environment. Some are specific sites and features and others are more generalised areas which, by not being developed, enhance the setting of adjacent settlement. (See Figure 4 below and also Appendix E with plans, photographs and additional explanation). Listed buildings and TPO’s are not included in this list as it is assumed that existing legislation safeguards these sites. Commons are included, as although it is unlikely that they would ever be available for building, their setting and access could be adversely affected by insensitive development.

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Figure 4.0 Identified ‘Green Assets’. (Refer to Policy EN01)

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Policy EN01 The areas listed below and shown on Figure 4.0 are designated “Green Assets”. Development proposals will be expected to:  Retain, enhance and/or create features of these assets.  Mitigate potential adverse impacts to them – including secondary impacts such as pollution, changes to drainage, visitor pressure and severance of ecological corridors and habitats.  Compensate for the loss of features and ecological value – but only as a last resort when it is concluded that losses are inevitable.

A. Sites of landscape character value including views A1 Unbuilt land adjacent Long Lane, West Winch. This corridor separates the ‘Bovis Estate’ from central West Winch and contains playing fields and farmland. It provides a visual corridor between the A10 and fenland to the west. Identified by community consultation. This land is also a gas pipeline corridor. A2 Unbuilt land south of the Old Windmill, West Winch that contains farmland and paddocks and helps break up linear development along the A10. Identified by consultation. This land is also a gas pipeline corridor. A3 A narrow corridor of land either side of the A10, and north of Ivy Farmhouse, featuring paddocks, hedges, matures trees and part of an important drainage course that extends east to Illington Lane, North Runcton. Identified by consultation and drainage surveys. A4 Mature trees, hedges and small areas of common land along the A47 road corridor between New Road, North Runcton and the Hardwick Roundabout. Important to the character of the local landscape and approach to King’s Lynn - sections of this road are elevated and prominent from the north and north-east. A5 The open landscape between the A47 and Illington Lane, North Runcton. Existing open farmland that is important in sustaining the rural setting of North Runcton and a rural approach to King’s Lynn along the A47. Identified in BCKLWN documents. A6 The open landscape south of the existing village envelope in North Runcton – including paddocks, woodland and farmland, much of which is elevated and prominent in views from the Nar Valley and areas further south. A7 Paddocks and arable land between Rectory Lane and Common Lane, North Runcton – with mature trees and hedges, providing an extension to the character of North Runcton common and an important backdrop to the village. Identified in consultation. A8 The ‘rural’ sections and features of Rectory Lane, Common Lane, the ‘Twistey Twiney’, Setch Road, and Watering Lane, where mature trees, roadside hedgerows and grass verges are important to local landscape character. Identified in consultation. A9 Grass area with village sign and tree planting, east of A10, south of Chequers Lane – enhances local amenity. Identified in consultation. A10 Land south-west of Gravelhill Lane and South of Elmtree Drive. A large area of low lying grassland that provides a rural outlook for a large number of existing dwellings and extends the ‘green corridor’ of West Winch common. Identified in consultation. A11 The predominantly open corridor along the Nar Valley west of Setch bridge and east towards Blackborough End. Identified in consultation. A12 Cholmondley/Blick Close grassed amenity area. Identified in consultation.

B. Sites of sports, recreation and amenity value B1 William Burt Centre Playing Field – Important recreational and social centre and contributing to local ‘open’ setting. (Part of A1).

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B2 Leete Way Play Area – a small equipped play area enclosed by a fence and used regularly by local children. B3 Row Hill Play Area – This is a small grassed area in the centre of a large estate providing green space for local residents B4 Public footpath from Common Lane to Rectory Lane, to Sheep’s Course Wood, North Runcton. Important to preserve attractive corridor and setting for this well used footpath. B5 North Runcton Cricket Field, New Road. Privately owned but important landmark and open space at the centre of the village. B6 Footpaths across West Winch and Hardwick Narrows commons – including access points beyond the common land. Important local footpath network.

C. Sites of nature conservation value C1 The Meadow, north of Coronation Avenue, West Winch – County Wildlife Site with some adjacent land set aside for horse grazing. C2 West Winch, North Runcton, Hardwick Narrows and Setchey Grazing Commons. (These areas are also important in terms of landscape value and, where paths exist, recreation value). Many areas of common land are thought to be Saxon or older. C3 Sheep’s Course Wood, North Runcton. Common land – but important to preserve the woodland – which creates a local landmark and important habitat. C4 Fringes of Hopkins proposed development site (Constitution Hill) including mature and maturing trees, remnant hedgerows, a large pond, species rich grassland and a low lying semi-wetland area at the north west corner. Botanical surveys for Hopkins and by others have confirmed these areas are especially rich in species and worthy of retention. It will also be essential to retain a network of green corridors to link these areas to the wider landscape.

D. Sites with local heritage interest D1 Manor Farm Moat and paddock, south of West Winch Church on the eastern side of the A10. Medieval site – important to setting of West Winch Church. D2 The Pound, Watering Lane, West Winch is owned by the West Winch Commoners and was used by farmers as a compound for their animals. Post medieval (?). Identified in consultation. D3 Historic walls adjacent New Road in North Runcton that are related to the former North Runcton Hall. (19th century). Identified in consultation. D4 The former primary school at North Runcton, now village meeting place. (19th century). Identified in consultation. D5 The ‘Church Rooms’ (former school) and adjacent cottages, West Winch. (19th century). Identified in consultation.

“The proposals to ensure that West Winch and North Runcton remain separate and that green areas and ‘buffers’ are retained are good.” (Comment received in consultation 2013)

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EN02 Strategic green infrastructure provision The Neighbourhood Plan Settlement Concept diagram (refer Figure 5) created following local consultation, illustrates the preferred locations for principal areas of Green Infrastructure in a likely development scenario promoted by the BCKLWN Core Strategy. It utilises areas unsuitable for built development, integrating drainage and non-vehicular transport access and suggesting opportunities for strategic landscape provision to mitigate the impacts of development. Negotiation will be required to ensure the delivery of this ‘GI’ to ensure a successful overall plan for the area.

POLICY EN02: Planning applications comprising new build of 50sqm or more shall contribute, through Section 106 or other developer contribution mechanisms, towards the phased establishment of a comprehensive network of new public open space, sustainable urban drainage corridors, bridle paths, cycle paths, footpaths and other amenity and nature conservation areas. Based on the standards and guidelines above and the 1600 new dwellings proposed in the Core Strategy until 2026, key green infrastructure to be created within the Neighbourhood Plan area shall include as a minimum:  20 Ha of new habitat creation including at least one public access space of at least 5 Ha in area. This space will provide informal recreation and amenity areas as well as wildlife habitat and could include non-vehicular access corridors, surface-water attenuation areas (if suitably designed for public access and amenity benefit), and shelterbelts or screen planting provision (where it is wider than 10m and designed for public access).  5Ha of new ‘nature reserve’ habitat that is managed specifically for the benefit of local biodiversity with managed public access.  10 Ha of new active recreation facilities (which can include sports pitches, courts, children’s play areas, trim trails in the neighbourhood plan area).  0.6Ha of allotment gardens (24x250sqm plots) or equivalent garden space suitable for food production (also refer Policy SCC05).  A dedicated non-vehicular dual-use path connection to the Hardwick industrial estate and links to the existing King’s Lynn cycle path network (see also Policy TR 05).  Provision for connection to a dedicated non-vehicular dual-use path connection to the Bawsey Country Park and a dedicated non-vehicular dual-use path connection to Middleton. Strategic establishment management plans and programmes will be provided by developers, including identified capital and revenue funding streams for the first 25 years of management negotiated and agreed with the planning authority.

“We need more trees & hedges - possibly a wooded area - sadly lacking at the moment.” Comment received in 2013 consultation.

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EN03 Local distinctiveness – natural heritage The significance of existing ‘natural assets’ in the local landscape (including trees, woodland, hedges, ponds, ditches, banks, established grassland and others) has been identified by local consultation. NPPF, paragraph 118 states “if significant harm resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused.” Tree replacement requirements introduced in Bristol are becoming regarded as a new benchmark policy and are adopted below.

POLICY EN03: Where a site includes trees, hedges, ponds, ditches, banks, established grassland or other natural landscape features, planning applications shall be accompanied by professional survey reports undertaken to the appropriate standards (e.g. in 2014 - arboricultural reports to BS5837:2012 and ecological reports to BS42020:2013) identifying the landscape and biodiversity features of value on and adjoining the subject site. The subsequent layout and design of the development should be informed by and respond to the results of the survey. Site design and management plans will be provided to show how these features will be protected and sustained for the long-term in the new environment or, indicate how features to be lost will be adequately compensated, potentially including contributions to the areas identified in Policy EN02. Where:  Any trees to be lost that have a trunk diameter greater than 7.5cm at 1.5m above ground level will be replaced with new planting on the site, or, compensated with a financial contribution to the Parish Council to be used in providing habitat elsewhere. Tree replacement requirements will be based on the size of the tree(s) to be lost as follows:

Trunk diameter of tree lost to development Number of (cm measured at 1.5 metres above ground level) replacement trees Trees 7.5 -19.9 1 20-29.9 2 30-39.9 3 40-49.9 4 50-59.9 5 60-69.9 6 70-79.9 7 80 + 8

Financial contributions will be negotiated, based on a standard replacement tree being an average priced containerised extra heavy standard (14-16cm), planted and maintained for 5 years. Where such trees are in urban settings the cost of appropriate tree pit preparation will be required. Appropriate species will be agreed at the time.

 1 linear metre of mature native hedgerow lost will be replaced with 10 linear metres of new mixed native double row hedge, and allowing space for sustainable management.  Permanent water bodies will be replaced with permanent water bodies of the same extent.  Ditches, other seasonal water bodies, field margins and grassland will be replaced with the same quantity or greater of ecologically equivalent features that can be sustainably managed.

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 Where the developer cannot replace such features on site a negotiated contribution shall be made to the Parish Council based on the estimated cost of creating the replacement feature and maintaining it for 25 years.

“Plant trees on development and do not rely on householders to do it in their gardens” Comment received in consultation 2013.

EN04 Support local distinctiveness – historic and cultural heritage Consultation has shown the value local people place on local distinctiveness, local features with historic origins or local significance. NPPF Chapter 12 and Core Strategy CS12 support the conservation of such assets. Such features may include designated and non-designated heritage assets (e.g. listed buildings, features on the county historic environment record, historic lanes, common land and historic field boundaries).

POLICY EN04: Development applications that have potential to impact directly or indirectly on the historic environment, including designated and non-designated heritage assets, must be accompanied by professional survey reports that identify these features and illustrate how such features can be protected, enhanced and successfully integrated within new development.

EN05 Addressing Climate Change Specific environmental concerns have been raised regarding drainage in the area where consultation has revealed past local flooding. Large parts of the neighbourhood plan area are underlain with clay. Drainage and surface water management can be problematic. Much of the development lies on higher ground but will drain towards lower lying existing settlement. Climate change is predicted to increase the occurrence of extreme weather events and surface water management systems must be robust and dependable. Similarly, other green infrastructure must be designed to allow for extreme weather and other potential climate change impacts (e.g. new tree diseases).

POLICY EN05: New development shall, through considered design, ensure the creation of robust environments that will be sustainable through future periods of predicted climate change. Design must demonstrate adequate consideration for:  Surface water management – taking account of the North Runcton and West Winch Surface Water Management Strategy (April 2014) with sufficient evidence and plans.  Robust landscape design that considers the need for shelter, shade and temperature mitigation and resilience to the potential impact of changing climate, pests, disease and other environmental factors.

“Plan and build drainage network BEFORE building starts.” Comment from consultation June 2013.

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EN06 Protecting arable land / re-using brownfield land Much of the land being considered for development within the neighbourhood plan area is higher grade arable land in active food production (significant areas of Grade 2 land). NPPF para 112 states “Loss of the best agricultural land should be minimised”. NPPF para 111 states “Any brownfield land should be considered preferable for development site allocation in advance of greenfield land allocations”. NPPF para 109 and 142 states “Topsoil is a finite mineral resource that must be conserved and protected from contamination”. DEFRA have produced guidance on soil management in construction areas Code of practice for sustainable use of soils on construction sites, (2009). NPPF para 17 states “Opportunities for local food production will support sustainable planning objectives”.

POLICY EN06: Development applications must minimise the loss of good agricultural land. Development on brownfield sites will be favoured over green field sites (providing it will not have significant adverse environmental impacts). Applications on green field sites must be accompanied by a soil conservation plan following best practice guidance and setting out how the topsoil resource will be conserved and reused following DEFRA and other best practice guidance. Applications should demonstrate how they can support local food production, e.g. by providing viable gardens for food production (with appropriate aspects, spatial arrangements, access and soils), allotment gardens, and/or opportunities for shared community food production (e.g. orchards).

“Why is prime agricultural land being developed ?” … “brownfield sites should take preference to greenfield.” Comment from June 2013 consultation.

EN07 Retaining rural character through detailed design Local people strongly value the rural character of the existing villages and wish new development to create similar rural characteristics. The detailed design of development will have a strong bearing on this goal. NPPF paragraphs 58 and 59 and BCKLWN Core Strategy CS12 promote policies that encourage locally distinctive, high quality design.

POLICY EN07: Boundary demarcation shall use hedging, consisting of mixed native species (e.g. hawthorn, blackthorn, field maple, hazel, holly e.t.c.) unless impractical. Wherever possible, space should be provided for planting potentially large native tree species (eg oak, willow, lime) so as to enable them to grow to healthy maturity. The retention and incorporation of existing ditches, verges and un-kerbed roadways and ‘informal’ landscape (e.g. wildflower meadows) will be strongly supported and new development that incorporates these features will be favoured.

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6.2 Development and Housing Policies

Consultation has confirmed that residents do not wish to be part of ‘greater King’s Lynn’ but wish to retain village character and an ostensibly rural backdrop to settlement wherever possible. For example, consultation has indicated that dark night skies and the visibility of stars is a cherished attribute of this rural setting.

The existing settlement pattern and building styles can help to influence new development, whilst the historic core of the existing villages should be protected and enhanced.

Although the existing settlements of West Winch and North Runcton predominantly constitute late 20th buildings with a mixture of architectural character, some older buildings incorporate more traditional building materials (notably carrstone and pantile) and these materials could be used to create distinctive character – especially for keynote development. The density of existing settlement is low (seldom greater than 20 dwellings per hectare and on average much lower). This and the openness afforded by views to paddocks, commons or agricultural land provide a rural village character that is valued by residents. Settlement character can be protected and created by considering the spatial arrangement of buildings, street layout, access provision and the relationship with landscape areas.

Other details of design can ensure adherence to the NPPF sustainability agenda and these are included in this policy section. Consultation has highlighted the desire of existing residents to ensure good quality, flexible and robust dwellings for future residents.

NPPF para.58 states that ‘local and neighbourhood plans should develop robust and comprehensive policies that set out the quality of development that will be expected for the area’.

DHO1 Overall structure

The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment facilitated community design workshops in 2010. Within the workshops the concept of locally distinct separate neighbourhoods separated by green multi-purpose infrastructure evolved, which has gained widespread support. The Prince’s Foundation document suggested, the Green Infrastructure should have a width of at least 160 metres (partly defined by the non-build zone required either side of the 2 high pressure gas pipelines), but preferably more, in order to establish a sense of distinct ‘neighbourhoods’. Using the pipeline corridors to separate built development could optimise the potential to accommodate development, create and sustain a mix of land uses and support local facilities as required by the NPPF.

I love where I live and how it is now. If I wanted to live in town I would be in town. I need space, I love nature.

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The Neighbourhood Plan therefore proposes that new housing would contribute towards three ‘residential villages’ as shown on the Settlement Concept Diagram (refer Figure 5). These would constitute:  A new village centre towards the northern end of the neighbourhood plan area (at ‘Constitution Hill’, North Runcton), and integrating with existing housing presently found in ribbon development along the A10.  The village centre of West Winch.  The village at North Runcton Any further development in future might be accommodated by a fourth ‘village’ located further south - east of the present A10, south of Chequers Lane.

POLICY DH01: The development of residential ‘villages’ to benefit existing and proposed development will be supported. The villages will provide community ‘focal points’ – that could include community facilities, business and retail premises (of an appropriate scale) and high quality public space. These ‘local centres’ will have excellent pedestrian, cycle and public transport connections.

Developers proposing major development should ensure:  The three residential ‘villages’ are separated by Green Infrastructure, which could have a variety of uses and must enhance local landscape character (refer to Environment policies).  The Green Infrastructure should have a width of at least 160 metres but preferably more, in order to establish a sense of distinct neighbourhoods.

We like the fields, greens and common land

DHO2 Two villages with historic centres

POLICY DH02: West Winch village and North Runcton village centres will be retained as distinct settlements. All development proposals in these areas will be required to demonstrate an appropriate and distinctive design approach.

West Winch Village Development proposal should demonstrate how they contribute towards key goals to strengthen and enhance the ‘local centre’ of West Winch based on St Mary’s church, the Church Rooms, the moat, the William Burt Centre, the primary school and shops. (Refer Figure 5.1). Key goals will be:  mitigating the impact of road traffic  protecting historic buildings and features  improving the range of community facilities  improving access – especially for pedestrians and cyclists with provision for short term car parking and cycle parking.  better facilities for local shopping.

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 creating a more obvious public space associated with the church using development to provide enclosure and prominence to that space.  showing (perhaps through urban design and the use of surface treatments), the continuation of a central village space that spans the A10 road.

North Runcton Village. In North Runcton development proposals must demonstrate how they will contribute towards key goals of protecting and enhancing the rural and historic character of the village centre based on All Saints church, the village green, village meeting place, the cricket club and sections of New Road, Common Lane and Rectory Lane. Key goals will be  mitigating the impact of road traffic,  protecting historic buildings and features,  sustainable retention of rural elements (such as native hedges, kerb-less verges, large trees and open spaces (including paddocks and playing fields),  maintaining and improving safe pedestrian and cycle access within and around the village – and links to adjacent centres (e.g. West Winch and Middleton).

DHO3 Place making New development planning must aim to retain and enhance the positive attributes of the current settlement pattern whilst ‘always seeking to secure high quality design and a good standard of amenity for all existing and future occupants of land and buildings’ (NPPF Core Principles, para 17 – bullet 4). New development should seek to create distinctive new environments by following Building for Life 124 guidelines and using the design of buildings, spaces, landscape and the connections between them to create legible, attractive, safe and locally appropriate environments.

Local people in consultation stated that they felt the area already had a strong sense of place. In answer to an open question ‘what do you like and want to keep’, 85% answered along the lines of “the village feel and open spaces “

POLICY DH03: All developments of 5 or more houses shall contribute towards each of the following in their proposals:  Establishing a comfortable scale with clear distinctions between public and private spaces, avoiding unused or un-owned space.  A sense of quality: Attractive, well-built and well-detailed buildings; spaces and features with good quality, low maintenance materials and unique features (e.g. public art).  Recognisable landmarks and focal points; clear, safe, navigable routes; views; gateways; signage and way markers.  A mix of compatible land-use, building form, architectural styles, people, habitats and biodiversity.  Providing a sense of place and local distinctiveness through use of traditional local materials and appropriate native species.

4 Published by the Design Council ‐ 2012

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DHO4 Integration of development and infrastructure The successful integration of built and non-built elements to create distinctive, attractive environments will be essential. Potentially adverse impacts (e.g. road noise or night lighting) can be mitigated. Functional requirements (e.g. managed drainage corridors), can also enhance local amenity and provide other functions (e.g. non-vehicular access corridors).

POLICY DH04: Developers shall demonstrate:  That the potential environmental impacts of all proposed development have been appropriately and adequately addressed.  Use of earthworks, acoustic barriers, screen planting and other mitigation works that may be necessary have been sensitively integrated with existing and proposed topography and spatial design.  That land use, planting, mitigation works, SuDs design and non-vehicular access routes are integrated where possible to create sustainable multi-functional green infrastructure that can be easily managed and maintained.  A robust 25-year management plan for all non-residential land including funding is in place with provision for furtherance of the management plan

DHO5 Sustainable urban drainage in detail design Surface water drainage in the two parishes is complex. Recent mitigation works have failed to resolve local flooding problems. Drainage problems remain in the parishes for developments dating back over the last 20 -30 years, where responsibility for maintenance of drainage waterways has become uncertain and houses and gardens are being flooded. The North Runcton and West Winch Surface Water Management Strategy (April 2014) has identified a practicable and robust approach to achieving an appropriate strategic drainage system for the entire neighbourhood plan area. It will also be essential that detailed design for individual sites and buildings incorporates best practice guidance for sustainable urban drainage to support the overall strategy.

POLICY DH05: Developers shall demonstrate that planning applications incorporate good sustainable urban drainage design, commensurate with current best practice design guidance. Detailed street and building design will include provision of permeable surfaces, rainwater re-use, green roofs and/or other measures to ensure sustainable water management unless not practical. The applicant will pay for all infrastructure required to provide adequate drainage for a development. Developers of any new dwelling will demonstrate that they have identified routes for surface water drainage from their development to the Puny Drain and IDB pumping station and that they have provided long-term, sustainable, maintenance arrangements for this infrastructure. Developers will demonstrate that their development will have no impact on the surface water drainage of properties or land ‘upstream’ or ‘downstream’ of their development.

DHO6 Design of recreation space The Environment Policies set out requirements for green infrastructure provision over the entire neighbourhood plan area. The detailed design of these spaces and the allocation of childrens’ play must provide high quality recreation space provision that is safely and

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easily accessible. BCKLWN Core Strategy CS12 promotes ‘an integrated network of green infrastructure throughout the urban and rural areas’, and CS13 states that ‘the form, design, location and layout of development should enhance community wellbeing by… being within walking distance of open space’ and that all development should be ‘within walking distance of open space’.

Keep the village

feel and open spaces

Most “open space” within the two parishes features constraints to public access. The commons are primarily grazing commons where the presence of animals limits their use. The Cricket Club and Tennis Courts at North Runcton are privately owned. The William Burt playing fields in West Winch along with the Parish Meadow at Coronation Avenue are the only accessible public open spaces. There is no footpath linking the two existing villages. The needs of dog walkers and others sometimes causes conflict.

The Neighbourhood Plan seeks to support local community aspirations for more public open space. Due to lack of access to open space the villagers place a high value on the existing vistas and views (refer to EN01). We wish to promote the health and welfare of the population by ensuring that there is provision for all to use open spaces within walking distance of their home. Recently concern has been raised by residents through the West Winch Parish Council about spaces within the parishes which were part of previous development but now have no apparent “owner” so no one to take responsibility for maintenance. They wish to avoid this happening in the future.

POLICY DH06: Development proposal must demonstrate that:  Play areas should be provided for under twelves within 400m of homes where possible. Local Areas of Play (under 6’s) shall be provided for developments of more than 10 new family dwellings Or  A Local Equipped Area for Play (4-12s) shall be provided for every group of between 30 and 100 new family dwellings Or  A Neighbourhood Equipped Play Area (4-14) shall be provided for every group of 100+ new family dwellings.

All play areas should be designed to be compatible with the setting, to complement and enhance the amenity of the area, to be robust and low maintenance and to comply with DDA, ROSPA and other relevant play provision guidelines:  New play areas shall be protected from dog access with fences and gates.  Dog-walking areas shall be provided, all with appropriate accessible dog waste bins. Where communal recreational open space is provided, design shall ensure that: ▪ It is accessible to all; ▪ It is designed to consider microclimate (e.g. with a sunny aspect, shelter from wind, etc.);

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▪ it is integrated into the overall network of green infrastructure, cycle paths etc; ▪ A robust 25-year management plan including funding is in place with provision for ongoing management beyond that date.

DHO7 Streetscape Street layout and design should contribute to an attractive and healthy environment for all users. This includes pedestrians, cyclists and residents. Whilst facilitation of movement is a key function, they normally support a range of social, leisure, retail and commercial functions.

POLICY DH07: Where new streets are proposed the streetscape design should comply with the DoT Manual for Streets (parts 1&2, 2007, 2010). Streetscape design should allow for the sustainable provision of street trees. Streets shall be designed as social spaces e.g., providing for children to play safely where appropriate.

DH08 Density Existing density in the Neighbourhood Plan area varies considerably but is generally in the range of 12 – 23 dwellings per hectare, excluding public space. In public consultation people wanted new development density to be in line with current housing provision in the 2 parishes.

Housing must be in-keeping with existing – density and build/type

POLICY DH08: New Housing development should have regard to and generally aim for an average density in line with existing development in the two parishes.

DHO9 Affordable housing

POLICY DH09: Any affordable housing shall be provided in accordance with the Borough Council’s current Affordable Housing Policy which states that “Affordable housing should be fully integrated with general market housing on new developments in order to achieve a mixed and balanced community”. It should be visually indistinguishable from other housing and pepper potted throughout any development in groups of 4 or less, unless the applicant can show a particular benefit to the community such as sheltered housing for the elderly linked to a residential home providing outside services.

DH10 Housing types/ working from home. The Office for National Statistics (August 2013) says about 13 per cent of us now work primarily from home, a figure boosted by the increased number of self-employed and the expansion of broadband. The TUC analysis of unpublished data from the Labour Force

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Survey (May 2014) stated that in 2012 just over four million employees worked temporarily or part time from home, a rise of 470,000 since 2007.

POLICY DH10: New residential development should provide flexible internal layouts and other design features that allow residents to work from home without impact on neighbouring properties, e.g. with the provision of a suitable office space/work area, with electrical/telephone/broadband provision. In accordance with the Code for Sustainable homes technical guidance November 2010: For dwellings with three or more bedrooms, a suitable working room is a room other than the kitchen, living room, master bedroom or bathroom.

For dwellings with one or two bedrooms or studio homes, a suitable working room is the living room, one of the bedrooms or any other suitable area in the home such as a large hall or dining area (provided the minimum service requirements defined above are met).

In all cases, the room must be large enough to allow the intended use of that room (e.g. if a home office is to be set up in the main bedroom, that room also needs to be able to fit in a double bed and other necessary furnishings).

The space dedicated for use as a home office must have:  Adequate ventilation  A window (providing an average daylight factor of 1.5%)  Two telephone points (or double telephone point), or one telephone point where cable or broadband is available Sufficient space is defined as the minimum size (1.8 m wall length) to allow a desk, chair and filing cabinet or bookshelf to be installed, with space to move around the front and side of the desk, use the chair appropriately and operate the filing cabinet safely (the 1.8 m wall size requirement can, in some circumstances, be altered if drawings can prove that a desk can be fitted in any other type of arrangement, i.e. alcove or similar, fulfilling all the above criteria).

DH11 Other external servicing

POLICY DH11: Applications should demonstrate how the visual impact of meter boxes, downpipes, flues, cabling, overhead services and the like will be minimised.

DH12 Safe environment Designs should promote a sense of place where residents and legitimate users are able to go about their daily routine without unduly fearing crime or insecurity. At present there is a relatively low level of crime in the area. However with easy access to main routes the area is vulnerable.

POLICY DH12: Developers shall demonstrate that developments are planned and housing shall be built to ‘Secured by Design’ 3 standards where these standards will contribute to a sense of a safer community.

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DH13 Lighting design Emphasis should be placed on maintaining a predominantly rural ‘night time’ character with dark night skies where this is not to the detriment of maintaining a safe community as outlined in DH12.

POLICY DH13: Street lighting and other external building and space lighting should be designed to minimise energy wastage and light spillage.

DH14 Design There is a mix of housing types in the two villages but predominantly bungalows and two detached or semi-detached storey houses. House types tend to be grouped together forming local distinctive neighbourhoods. Any future development should seek to complement existing residential areas. (Refer NPPF Para 66.)

POLICY DH14: Development should preserve, enhance and promote the distinctive village character of the existing neighbourhoods in terms of building height and in other respects. New residential development shall be no more than 2 storeys in height, unless justified by the immediate surroundings and setting and of exemplary design.

Materials used in the construction of dwellings, including boundary design, shall be in keeping with existing properties and include traditional local materials such as carrstone, pantiles, regional brick colours and native planting. Innovative use of these materials where the design is in keeping with the local vernacular will be permitted. The use of native hedge planting and traditional local building materials and styles will be permitted. Unmitigated security railings will not be permitted.

DH15 Lifetime Homes Standard According to the Rural East Anglian Partnership (REAP) Strategic Housing Market Assessment (final draft July 2007). ‘Overall there are an estimated 37,785 households in the REAP area with one or more members in an identified support-needs group. This represents 23.3% of all households, which is higher than the average Fordham Research has found nationally (13-14%)’.

‘The numbers of households in each category exceeds the total number of support-needs households because people can have more than one category of special need. 'Physically disabled' is the predominant group. The next largest group is ‘frail elderly’. These two categories represent 63.7% and 45.9% of all support-needs households respectively’.

‘Support-needs households are almost twice as likely to be living in unsuitable housing as non-support-needs households. Some 14.0% of all support-needs households are living in unsuitable housing, which compares with 7.7% of all households and 5.8% of all non-support-needs households’.

In support of the aspirations of National Planning Policy to deliver a wide choice of high quality homes, widen opportunities for homeownership and create sustainable, inclusive and mixed communities, new development should provide a good environment for all regardless of age or disability. Currently the proportion of elderly people in the

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Neighbourhood Plan area is higher than the Norfolk average. Local people do not want to be forced out of the area by their identified support needs. In accordance with the Strategic Housing Market Assessment, provision should be made for at least the current percentage of households.

(Appendix 12.7 shows both parish age structures and comparisons with other areas.)

DH16 Sustainable design and construction of new homes Response to community consultation emphasised the desire for housing which is high quality in plan, size and materials, adapted to the expected results of climate change and suitable for the whole-life needs of residents.

POLICY DH16: Planning applications must demonstrate that new buildings incorporate sustainability design goals by striving to meet the highest levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes 10 All new homes must meet, as a minimum, the standard of level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes subject to viability and deliverability in accordance with paragraph 173 in the National Planning Policy Framework 5 unless building regulations are revised to require measures above this standard. Simple design opportunities – such as orientating buildings and public spaces to benefit from passive solar gain; seeking to ensure excellent standards of insulation; seeking to balance expected energy use with renewable energy systems; and, retaining existing soil, mature vegetation and established habitats within development sites (refer environment policies) will all help to achieve these goals. There must be a strong emphasis on low maintenance design.

DH17 Provision for cars Parking Standards for Norfolk 2007 states that ‘Over a Local Planning Authority area the average parking provision will reflect car ownership. The accessibility of a site will be determined from a site specific assessment of access to employment and services by walking, cycling and public transport. This will be used to determine the appropriate local parking provision’.

We need adequate parking for cars, adequate drive ways. I know from my own experience as a District Nurse parking is a large problem

While this Neighbourhood Plan promotes the use of public transport, cycling and walking, generally public transport provision for the area has been poor and there are no apparent specific plans for improvement. The level of car ownership is high. West Winch has a higher number of households with a second car than the average for the Borough and also the average across Norfolk according to the Rural Services Network Rural Evidence Base (2014) – refer Table below. Insufficient provision for car parking in other housing developments in the King’s Lynn area results in on-street parking parallel to the road edge and on pavements so that it dominates the street and creates a safety hazard.

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or van availability All categories: Car household No cars or vans in household 1 car or van in household 2 cars or vans in household 3 cars or vans in vans in household 4 or more cars

West Winch 100.0 9.2 44.0 35.3 7.2 4.3 North Runcton 100.0 7.0 40.6 35.2 12.7 4.5

Breckland 100.0 15.5 43.8 30.3 7.5 2.9 Broadland 100.0 11.4 44.4 33.5 7.8 2.9 Great Yarmouth 100.0 27.2 44.8 21.2 5.0 1.8 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 100.0 16.4 44.6 29.0 7.1 3.0 Norfolk 100.0 18.8 44.8 27.4 6.4 2.5 North Norfolk 100.0 16.2 46.1 28.1 6.9 2.7 Norwich 100.0 33.4 47.6 15.8 2.5 0.7 South Norfolk 100.0 11.7 42.4 34.3 8.4 3.3

Predominant ly Rural 100.0 15.5 41.6 31.8 7.9 3.1 Significant Rural 100.0 18.0 42.0 30.2 7.1 2.6 Predominant ly Urban 100.0 28.8 42.5 22.4 4.7 1.5 Source: Rural Services Network May 2014

POLICY DH17: Adequate off-street parking of at least 2 spaces, not including any garage shall be provided for each housing unit. Parking areas must be overlooked and well lit. Car parking within the curtilage of houses shall be provided wherever possible. Rear parking areas should serve a maximum of 5 homes.

Front gardens and external space design should be designed to soften the impact of cars parked at the front of houses, or in the street.

Sufficient provision shall be made for unallocated on-street parking for visitors and delivery vehicles either by sufficient road width or creation of parking areas.

Where garages are provided, they must be built in direct association with the properties whose inhabitants may be expected to use them. They should reflect the architectural style of the property. Garages must be spacious enough to allow easy access to average modern cars (i.e. minimum internal dimensions of 7m x 3m).

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DH18 Bicycles In public consultation (NP questionnaire Sep 2012) 33% of respondents said better cycle provision would encourage their household to use the car less. There is a need to facilitate cycling as an easy option over other transport uses given the rural location, limited public transport and high traffic volumes at peak hours. People also value cycling as a leisure pursuit. To encourage the use of cycles they need to be easily accessible at home.

Improve cycling and

walking routes

POLICY DH18: Adequate secure covered storage space for bicycles in the minimum ratio of one more than the number of bedrooms shall be provided for each housing unit, ensuring access to the highway without having to pass through the interior of the home.

DH19 Dwelling space standards No amount of sensitive design can compensate for homes that are too small. In order to ensure that homes are able to accommodate varied and changing personal circumstances and growing families it is important to ensure that homes are fit for purpose enabling people to live a full life. This offers the potential for the homes to be occupied over time by households of all tenures. The RIBA the Case for Space study, referenced the London Housing Design Guide standards and some local authorities have also used them (refer Interim edition 4.0-4.10; Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance (November 2012); London Plan 2011 Implementation Framework). The Government in their Housing Standards Review (2014) reference the London Standards as “examples of the most commonly imposed standards”. The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk has no minimum space standards.

POLICY DH19: Developers should state the number of bedspaces/occupiers a home is designed to accommodate rather than the number of bedrooms. New housing within the Neighbourhood Plan area should meet and ideally exceed the minimum standards contained in the London Plan Implementation Framework housing Supplementary Planning Guidance Nov 2012.

Dwelling type Bedroom persons Essential GIA (sq.m) Flats 1b 2p 50 2b 3p 61 Houses 2b 4p 83 3b 5p 96 4b 5p 100 4b 6p 107 For dwellings designed for more than 6 people at least 10sq.m gross internal area should be added for each additional person.

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Dwelling plans should demonstrate that dwellings will accommodate the furniture, access and activity space requirements relating to the declared level of occupancy. The minimum floor to ceiling height in habitable rooms should be 2.5 m between finished floor level and ceiling. Plans should demonstrate that at least one bedroom is capable of being furnished and used as a double or twin room according to occupier preference.

Further detailed guidance can be found in London Plan Implementation Framework housing Supplementary Planning Guidance Nov 2012. See Appendix H 4.3.1 Circulation in the home; 4.4.1-6 living, Dining and Kitchen Areas; 4.5.1-2 Bedrooms; 4.6.1-4 Bathroom and WCs; 4.7.1 Storage and Utility spaces; 4.8.1-2 Study and Work.

DH20 Home as a place of retreat Homes should help residents maintain a sense of wellbeing providing a significant level of retreat and privacy for occupants.

POLICY DH20: Design proposal should demonstrate an adequate level of protection from noise and privacy in relation to neighbouring properties and public spaces. All homes should provide for direct sunlight to enter at least one habitable room for part of the day with glazing not less than 20% of the internal floor area.

DH21 Private outside space For promotion of health and well-being and ease of living, people should have their own outside space (balcony/garden) to use as they choose – eg for sitting and eating, clothes drying, playing or growing food. Almost without exception all homes in the Neighbourhood Plan area presently have their own private amenity space. Consultation suggests residents would strongly support the continuation of this trend with future development. Two local Estate Agents based in King’s Lynn were consulted by the NP Steering Group. They were asked about clients who were looking for property in the two villages and if private outside space was a particular need. Both Agents said that all clients wishing to live in either of these villages did ask for a garden which was big enough for children to play, for them to grow vegetables and to generally use the garden as an extension to their indoor living accommodation. The Agents both stated that if clients did not express the desire for a garden then they were typically looking to live in the town centre. The 1973 Essex Design Guide required a minimum private (ie rear) garden size of 100sq m for most types of houses and in the latest version states “This provision has been found to be an acceptable and workable minimum size that accommodates most household activities and is at the same time able to offer visual delight, receive some sunshine and encourage plant growth.

The BRE report “Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight” recommends that certainly no more than two fifths and preferably no more than a quarter of the garden should be prevented by buildings, walls or fences from receiving sunshine on March 21st.

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POLICY DH21: All dwellings including flats will have private outside space (not including driveway, garages and storage sheds) All garden space should be provided “ready to grow” unless otherwise specified by the purchaser. Principal garden areas should be orientated so as to receive direct sun for several hours a day. Designers should try to create usable rectangular garden shapes as far as possible.

Houses of one or two bedroom shall have a minimum garden size of 50 sq m but preferably more. Houses of 3 or more bedrooms shall have a minimum garden size of 100 sq m but preferably more. Flats shall have a minimum but preferably more 25 sq m of garden space. A balcony or terrace of over 5 sq m will count towards total garden provision for flats.

All houses shall have a private sitting out area, extending at least 3 metres, receiving sunshine for part of the day not overlooked by adjacent or opposite living rooms or sitting out areas.

DH22 Waste and recycling Residents need support to recycle waste where possible. At present the Borough Council requires separation of waste into 2 categories plus an optional bin for garden waste. Where provision has not been made for the storage of this waste in homes it causes difficulty in recycling and can be a health hazard.

POLICY DH22: Adequate interior storage space for waste and recycling bins must be provided taking into consideration the level of waste separation required by the local authority. Adequate exterior storage space for waste and recycling bins must be provided for every home ensuring the bins are not visible from the street with straightforward access to bin collection points.

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6.3 Local Economic Policies

Although unemployment in the area is presently low (varying around 3% in North Runcton in 2011– slightly lower than the Borough average) consultation has identified great concern about insufficient employment opportunities for new residents if the Core Strategy housing proposals proceed. There is also concern about the quality and sustainability of local employment opportunities (where many people perceive jobs provided by employers such as supermarkets to be low skilled, low status and not ‘permanent’). The proposed 26 Ha expansion of Hardwick Industrial Estate could provide many local jobs – but local residents have expressed some scepticism at the 3000 jobs suggested by the developers in 2013.

Where would these people who live in these proposed houses work? Is this I am 44 [years going to increase unemployment old] and there and lead to an increase in crime?” are no good jobs

here.

Consultation suggested that locals perceive potential for more business development at Garage Lane, Setchey, where a substantial site owned by Kier became vacant in 2013. However the Garage Lane site has constraints – especially due to the difficult access onto the A10 which is widely perceived as dangerous.

Fig 6: Some key sites for employment and the local economy in or near the neighbourhood plan area:

1. Hardwick Industrial Estate (including proposed expansion area). 2. Hardwick Narrows Industrial Estate. 3. Garage Lane Industrial Estate, Setchey. 4. ‘Coolstak’ 5. West Winch ‘local centre’ (shop, post office etc). 6. North Runcton Caravan and Camping Park.

Consultees have been supportive of existing local business and the need to generate more local jobs that can reduce car dependency and any need for commuting. The BCKLWN core strategy 7.3.1 states that of 62,000 jobs in the Borough, 55% were provided in King’s Lynn and 80% of those who live in the Borough also work here (para

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7.3.6). It has not been established how many people commute to work outside the Borough from North Runcton and West Winch.

Within the Borough 5.5% of employment was in agriculture, fishing or forestry in 20085 but within the neighbourhood plan area this is anticipated to be nearer the 2.8% Norfolk average, as farming here is predominantly large-scale arable with little labour required. Consultation identified many concerns about the potential loss of agricultural land and business through urban expansion. As well as the impact to local landscape character there was also concern about loss of farming livelihoods and land for food production.

With the excess of Brownfield sites in Lynn, why is prime agricultural land being developed?”

A significant economic sector in West and North Norfolk is tourism and there is a successful caravan and campsite business in North Runcton. Consultation suggested there was support for tourism related business – and concerns that the area might become less attractive for tourism if the parishes become increasingly urbanised.

It can be difficult to promote economic development through planning policy. The Neighbourhood Plan policies for the economy seek to support sustainable employment opportunities and a varied local economy. They seek to support and sustain local tourism and protect agricultural land and activities where possible whilst safeguarding the character and amenity of the villages and key environmental assets.

The Neighbourhood Plan therefore seeks to:

 Support existing employment areas;  Define appropriate sites for new employment related development;  Encourage environmentally friendly employment sites;  Encourage flexible working patterns and employment diversification;  Support businesses which do not have an adverse impact on residential amenity or the environment.

LE01 Employment areas The neighbourhood plan aims to support existing employment areas at the Hardwick Industrial Estate, Hardwick Narrows Industrial Estate and at Garage Lane, Setchey providing that adverse environmental, transport, economic and community/social impacts can be adequately mitigated. This will support the BCKLWN policy of providing 50 hectares of employment land in and around King’s Lynn needs reference (Core Strategy CS10). Consultation has supported the need for sustainable access to employment areas – e.g. better cycle paths that could reduce local car traffic. Plans that improve or remove existing constraints (e.g. poor road access to Garage Lane and poor cycle access to Hardwick from West Winch and North Runcton) will be favoured. CS10 states under Retention of Employment Land, ‘The Council will seek to retain land or premises currently or last used for employment purposes (including agricultural uses). ’In addition the

5 ONS ‐ 2008

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Neighbourhood Plan will support appropriate employment sector development at new sites in or near to the parishes. The BCKLWN Core Strategy states (para 7.3.28) that potential new employment locations could include:  Land adjacent to the Hardwick Industrial Estate (partly within North Runcton);  Land adjacent to the Saddlebow roundabout (west of West Winch).

Whilst local people are keen to support a thriving local economy they wish to see a balance with the needs of residents where new employment areas support the local economy without any adverse effect on existing and future residential development in the neighbourhood plan area.

Agree - new residents must have employment opportunities. Comment on draft policies – June 2013

POLICY LE01: Planning applications that sustain the existing employment areas at Hardwick Industrial Estate, Hardwick Narrows Industrial Estate and Garage Lane, Setchey will be permitted providing that any adverse environmental, transport, economic and community/social impacts can be adequately mitigated. The amenity of existing and future residential areas shall be safeguarded. Plans that demonstrate how they will provide improved service infrastructure, sustainable transport options, equitable access, landscape character enhancement and other sustainability criteria will be permitted.

Proposals should demonstrate opportunities for the creation of a net increase in long- term local job opportunities and skills within the Neighbourhood plan area.

LE02 Local services / Local centres Proposals that contribute towards the development of a thriving local centre at West Winch will be supported. Appropriate small scale retail or business premises that assist development of a pedestrian friendly, distinctive ‘civic centre’, complementing the church and other key historic features, will be encouraged. Such development should not have adverse environmental or social impacts and should be appropriate for the location. Consultation in 2012 and 2013 identified strong support for a better defined village centre with facilities including the existing shop and post office, a new GP Surgery/Health Centre, and a range of additional shops.

Consultation also identified a desire for other local centres as and when new residential areas are established. A convenience store within a ‘walkable’ neighbourhood (generally considered to be 400m) is considered a desirable goal for new development. A local centre could also provide other functions to support home working or small business.

POLICY LE02: Developers of business premises A1 (shops), A2 (professional and financial) and A3 (restaurants and cafes) shall show how their plans contribute towards the creation of ‘walkable’ local centres.

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Businesses that support other small enterprise and home working will be encouraged where not having an adverse impact on the residential amenities/environment.

Proposals that would appear to undermine the creation/sustainability of local centres will not be permitted. Development proposals which undermine the primary function of the West Winch local centre will not be permitted. This is to support the community and add to the sustainability of the centre, assisting the wider retail hierarchy in the Borough.

LE03 Sustainable business practice Consultation has identified support for environmentally appropriate business. Example practice would include low energy-use premises, sustainable building construction, environmentally friendly business practice (including waste management), travel plans, encouragement of walking and cycle access by staff and customers and demonstrable investment in staff and the community. Many consultees have emphasised that new or expanding business and employment enterprise must not result in unacceptable increased local traffic – especially HGV traffic.

This complies with Core Strategy Policy CS08 which sets out ways to ‘promote and encourage opportunities to achieve high standards of sustainability and energy efficiency’…

POLICY LE03: Applications for new employment sector sites and buildings must demonstrate how they will achieve/support.  Sustainable building construction  High energy efficiency  A low carbon footprint – in construction and operational stages  Environmentally friendly business practices, including waste management  No notable increase in local traffic levels – especially at peak periods.

Developers shall submit Travel Plans for all significant employment related planning applications. These should demonstrate how they shall minimise vehicular use and trip generation and encourage walking, cycling and public transport access by staff and customers.

LE04 Supporting local tradesman and suppliers Consultation with local builders and designers identified concern that large scale development would be unlikely to benefit local firms and the local economy in the short term. Plans and initiatives that create opportunities for small trades and supply businesses in construction and building management and design services need to be supported. Such schemes might include opportunities for self-build and small serviced building plots, and the use of local materials and building techniques. In 2013/2014 the government announced a variety of incentives to support self-build projects.

POLICY LE04: Planning applications for self-build housing opportunities within large development will be supported. Any new self-build and/or small serviced building plots must be designed and built to excellent environmental and sustainability design standards, and an agreed density, design and construction/delivery programme will need to be conditions of consent.

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LE05 Business support infrastructure Good communication and broadband facilities are essential for business. Many consultees have complained of slow or intermittent broadband quality and poor cellnet coverage locally. However it is understood that the communications sector is fluid and new technology is constantly being introduced. Buildings and infrastructure must be adaptable to future needs and requirements.

We agree with refurbishment/updating of existing facilities and of broadband

POLICY LE05: Developers shall ensure provision of high quality infrastructure (e.g. high speed broadband) which can assist and support business, including home-based business. However design must demonstrate that buildings will allow for adaptation and changing requirements in future. Applications for new communications infrastructure will be supported as long as there are no significant adverse impacts to the environment or local amenity.

LE06 Farm businesses Farming sustains the local landscape that many people enjoy. Local people recognise the importance of the area’s ‘rural’ setting and the importance of the sustainability of farming with food production. Sustaining profitable agriculture is important to the local economy. Farms may need to diversify in order to remain profitable but this must not be at the expense of local landscape character and environmental quality. This is supported by a range of policy. “Extensive tracts of high quality and productive agricultural land” must be protected from development (BCKLWN Core Strategy). NPPF para 112 states “Loss of the best agricultural land should be minimised”. The Neighbourhood Plan seeks to ensure the protection of viable tracts of agricultural land and farm businesses (refer EN06). The following policy is aimed at curbing impacts to the local setting through farm diversification.

why is prime existing agricultural agricultural land land being must be protected developed in both Parishes

POLICY LE06: Proposals for farm diversification should sustain local landscape character, local biodiversity and maintain opportunities for all residents to enjoy the local countryside. Proposals that will result in adverse environmental, visual, economic, social or transport impacts (including the proliferation of HGV traffic on small lanes or in predominantly residential areas) will not be permitted.

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LE07 Tourism The tourism sector is important to West Norfolk, contributing just under £400 million per year to the local economy (Core Strategy para 7.3.8). Consultation with the parishioners of both West Winch and North Runcton has shown that they wish to retain opportunities for tourism, which they feel is underpinned by the predominantly rural setting. Opportunities for walking, cycling, riding and watching wildlife locally should be safeguarded / enhanced. Providing good cycle/footpath access to other villages, King’s Lynn and connections to other parts of West Norfolk are important to retain and/or establish/improve.

POLICY LE07: Planning applications and initiatives that can contribute to the tourism appeal of the area, create and/or enhance visitor attractions and provide new activities and accommodation for visitors will be supported. However applications must demonstrate that proposals will not have significant adverse environmental, economic, social or transport impacts to local amenity and the wider setting.

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6.4 Society, Community and Culture

Consultation has revealed concerns about the impact to local schools if the villages continue to grow – and especially if substantial new development come forward as proposed by BCKLWN. North Runcton has no school – falling within the catchment of Middleton, which also provides primary schooling for several other villages and has limited capacity for expansion. West Winch school has more extensive grounds and could be expanded but this was not favoured by local consultees who felt that it is presently an appropriate and not overly large size. A new primary school associated with new development is seen as essential by most local residents – who also felt it should be delivered at an early stage of any large residential development so that an influx of new residents did not temporarily ‘flood’ the existing schools.

In building a new community a nursery and primary school are seen as important ‘anchors’ for a new community - and potential catalysts for building strong social ties. Transporting children to existing schools is considered likely to generate additional and unwanted local traffic. Establishment of a new school is therefore seen as a key to creating community cohesion and meeting sustainability goals. Other ‘public’ facilities such as a community hall are also seen as essential to creating a ‘sense of community’. The proposed number of new houses would outnumber existing dwellings in both Parishes. It will be essential that the new population is fully integrated with the existing communities. To ensure a vibrant integrated social life the Neighbourhood Plan aims to promote provision of the spaces and activities to ensure that old and new parts of the villages will be able to form a cohesive community.

At least 30 community related organisations have been identified in the two parishes including churches and sports clubs. There are a number of halls and potential venues for community events - including the William Burt Social Club at West Winch, the Village Meeting Place at North Runcton, the ‘Church Rooms’ at West Winch, and the Scout Hall and Cricket Club at North Runcton). However these facilities are generally already well used and have a variety of constraints (e.g. size, access, parking and tenure). It is felt essential that a substantial increase in local population as proposed by the Core Strategy will require additional community facilities, whilst some funds to improve existing facilities would be beneficial.

All community facilities need to be wheelchair friendly and with disability accesses/exits etc.

Currently there are no GP practices in either parish and the nearest surgeries are Watlington and King’s Lynn. Although the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is only 3km away there is no direct bus service. There is a private dental practice in West Winch. With a potential population in the parishes of more than 6000 by 2026, many residents consider new GP and dental surgeries as essential – especially due to the ageing population.

Concerned about lack of health facilities for the number of dwellings proposed to be built, … and increased number of residents in the area. Concerns of local residents at consultation.

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There is concern regarding the future of some community facilities, the cost of maintenance and the cost of bringing them up to modern standards. However to retain and enhance these facilities is considered key to ensuring civic pride and a thriving community life. A mechanism to ensure commuted sums to maintain and enhance community assets would be beneficial to existing and future residents.

It will be essential that the growing community is fully involved in the evolution and delivery of plans and that the needs and aspirations of the community are reviewed and updated as required. It is felt that this will help existing and new residents integrate and ‘take ownership’ of new civic infrastructure.

SCC01 Primary school The parishes fall within the catchment of West Winch and Middleton primary schools. Consultation with the head teachers indicated that with current pupil numbers at or near capacity, a substantial increase in the local population would either require new buildings to increase capacity – or a new school in the locality. At public consultations local residents supported early provision of a new third Primary School in the light of proposed major development to avoid overloading existing schools and provide the new community with a social focus. They felt that primary schools should not be overly large and should lie within easy walking or cycling distance.

Consultees also felt the new school could provide other community facilities – perhaps a communal hall, recreation facilities and other amenities extending the use of the premises and connections with communities and services. Community involvement should be sought in the design of the primary school.

Nursery School facilities would also be required. There is none within the parishes. The County Children’s Services department has suggested that existing secondary provision in King’s Lynn is considered adequate for the foreseeable future.

Norfolk County Council are presently responsible for assessing the need for new schools and for planning their implementation – where 1100 new homes is often used as a ‘trigger’ for the provision of a new primary school. The Core Strategy plan for 1600 new homes by 2026 suggests a new primary school is essential.

POLICY SCC01: Provision must be made for the development of new primary school(s) commensurate with predicted demographics to be established early in the development of new settlement. The school should provide opportunities for the local community, offering a range of activities before, during and beyond the traditional school day. The facilities should be available for use by the local community at appropriate times.

The School must be easily accessible for children and family members. Access for the school should not be directly onto major roads, e.g. the planned ‘relief road’. It should be sited to ensure equitable access for the whole catchment area.

The school should be designed so as to provide maximum benefit to the community, contributing to sense of place, a low carbon economy, cultural diversity and low levels of car dependency. It must be designed to be secure and safe for the children whilst allowing

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use of its facilities by the wider community when applicable. It must have excellent pedestrian, cycle and public transport access provision but it is recognised that sufficient car parking, deliveries, maintenance and emergency access will also be required.

The school shall be designed and built to exceptional environmental and sustainability design standards, with low energy running requirements and sustainable building construction. Environmentally friendly business practices, including waste management will be accommodated.

The school should have sufficient external space for appropriate recommended provision of playing fields, free play and outdoor education opportunities. Facilities that can benefit the wider community are encouraged.

SCC02 ‘Health Centre’ / GP practice Consultation in 2012 and 2013 found that a Health Centre or GP Surgery with dispensary was the most desired new facility for existing residents. Residents in North Runcton and West Winch presently use various GP surgeries in King’s Lynn and Watlington. It is considered that with a potential population of 6000 people by 2026, the parishes could and should support their own practice.

The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group Consultation consulted the Head of Contracting for Primary Care (January 2013) and other local healthcare providers, but health sector reorganisation has meant there is little current agreement as to how new local GP or community healthcare facilities will be commissioned or funded in coming years. Nevertheless the Neighbourhood Plan seeks to promote the goal of establishing a new GP practice within the parishes – which would seem to support other goals for sustainability as set out by the NPPF.

POLICY SCC02: Provision should be made for land or premises that will be suitable for development clinics, GP consulting, and other community health support initiatives, commensurate with predicted demographics. The ‘health centre’ will be located at an identified local centre (preferentially ‘old’ West Winch), established early in the development of new settlement and designed to contribute to sense of place and low levels of car dependency. This will be built to exceptional environmental and sustainability design standards, including energy efficiencies and sustainable building best practice. Environmentally friendly business practices, including waste management will be accommodated.

SCC03 ‘Community Centre’

The Village Hall in North Runcton is very small accommodating less than 60 people seated; with restricted parking and no capacity for extension. The William Burt Centre, situated in West Winch, has a well-used larger hall, a smaller function room and licensed bar. It has a car park and external playing facilities. Consultation has indicated strong support for a new community centre for the proposed new neighbourhood – where many people see this as an essential element in building social links. Consultation has also identified a desire for more community events and activities – especially for children and older citizens.

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Clubs for younger children as most children get bored and don’t know what to do.”

POLICY SCC03: Major development of more than 400 houses from all proposed development, in line with the Core Strategy (CS03) will only be permitted subject to provision being made for a new locally accessible community centre (supported by Core Strategy policy CS14). This could be provided in association with a new school. The building shall include at least one hall capable of seating 150 people, a meeting room, lobby, storage space for clubs and organisations, toilets and kitchen. It will relate to an external ‘garden’ area suitable for larger community events and outdoor activities and appropriate access and parking provision. It will be located and designed so as to provide maximum benefit to the community, contributing to sense of place, a low carbon economy, cultural diversity and low levels of car dependency. It will be built to exceptional environmental and sustainability design standards, including energy efficiencies and sustainable building best practice. Environmentally friendly business practices, including waste management will be accommodated.

SCC04 Funding for social and cultural community development Community facilities require management and maintenance. In community consultation, residents have consistently stated their desire for green spaces and access to ‘nature’. Such wishes accord with the NPPF and BCKLWN Core Strategy CS08 – ‘ensuring the scale, density, layout and access will enhance the quality of the environment and CS13 ‘being within walking distance of open space – to increase peoples’ quality of life and enable active and healthy lifestyles’. Green infrastructure provision is addressed in the ‘Environment’ policy section. However residents have also expressed concern regarding the potential cost for sustainable management of new facilities. It is essential that the Parish Councils have sufficient funds to establish and maintain these facilities – where current precepts would be unable to extend to these additional commitments that could include essential drainage infrastructure, footpaths and other amenities.

We like the rural nature and green spaces within our Parishes

POLICY SCC04: If CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) has not been adopted by BCKLWN, the developers of any development of 5 or more dwellings will be required to contribute a percentage of development costs to Parish Council funds to ensure the ongoing social and cultural development of the community in future decades. Contributions will be commensurate with 25% of an average Community Infrastructure Levy by other planning authorities and over and above any contributions made in S106 agreements. The funds will specifically support the maintenance, management and enhancement of existing

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community facilities; the establishment and development of new community facilities and initiatives – including those relating to natural and cultural heritage, art, education, community health and recreation; the development and delivery of new community events and activities; and, initiatives that enhance community communication. Establishment of a democratic management organisation and guidelines for the fund administration will be required.

SCC05 Allotments West Winch Parish Council regularly receives requests for provision of allotments. Provision of allotments is included as part of the ‘green Infrastructure’ requirement in environment policy EN02. However the following policy provides more detail for allotment provision, based on National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG) recommendations.

Provision of gardens and outdoor facilities is supported by the NPPF, BCKLWN Core Strategy (e.g. CS14) and many surveys and studies (e.g. The West Norfolk Partnership’s Quality of Life Survey (2007). People who have good access to open space, parks, sports facilities and other leisure and recreation facilities have the opportunity for an active and healthy lifestyle.

POLICY SCC05: Provision should be made on suitable land for 20 allotment plots per 1,000 new households, of a standard size of 250 sq metres. Suitable access, a mains water supply, deer and rabbit proof boundary fencing and a standard lockable shed measuring approximately 2x2x2m should be provided. The allotments should be gifted to the relevant Parish Council to come under their initial management control.

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6.5 Transport Policies

Irrespective of the scale or programme for future settlement expansion in the parishes, residents feel that the growing level of traffic and frequency of congestion problems are matters that need to be addressed as soon as possible.

Although the A10 is not a trunk road it is a regionally important route carrying a great deal of through-traffic which blights the road corridor environment and is a growing hindrance to village life. The A10 is the only access in and out of the village. It is problematic to turn onto the road at most of the key junctions and from properties adjacent the road. Turning right on to the road can be especially difficult. Accidents are frequent. Traffic does not appear to adhere to the 40mph speed limit. Roadsides pavements are an unpleasant environment for pedestrians and cyclists – where the eastern footpath is also a designated cyclepath. Residents have reported the sense of danger as HGVs pass so close to them. Crossings are limited and the volume of traffic makes crossing difficult. A significant proportion of the traffic is HGVs (increasing during the sugar beet campaign.) This is causing damage to buildings, most significantly St Mary’s Church in West Winch. The local school has had to stop their visits to the church for special services due to safety concerns despite the one pedestrian crossing, as there have been instances of HGVs being unable to stop.

At times I have had to give up and turn left instead …

During public consultation, road safety, traffic volumes, vehicle speeds and the adverse impacts of living near busy roads are frequently voiced concerns of local residents. Junction improvements especially on the A10 at Gravelhill Lane, Long Lane and Rectory Lane, as well as New Road on the A47 were requested.

Public transport provision for the area remains poor and there are no apparent specific plans for improvement. The level of car ownership is high. It seems inevitable that traffic volumes will increase on local roads if the major development proposed in the Core Strategy proceeds. The Neighbourhood Plan seeks to ensure that widening the existing choice of transport options and especially increasing levels of walking and cycling as opposed to local car journeys will help to mitigate traffic impacts. New development can help build a better, more coherent and integrated transport network for all.

An increased population could support more frequent bus services if development is designed to support this type of infrastructure. An excellent non-vehicular network of paths and tracks (within the neighbourhood plan area and to centres beyond) will help promote walking and cycling, offer real choice for local journeys and support health, recreation and environmental goals.

Although the area is used for recreation and exercise (walking / jogging / cycling / riding), in reality there are few off-road public paths. Grazing commons provide limited public access. The main roads act as barriers to safe non-vehicular access and cycle access

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provision is limited. ‘Rat running’ along local lanes (especially through North Runcton) is a growing problem as drivers try to avoid the busy Hardwick roundabout.

The Neighbourhood Plan seeks to ensure improvements to the A10 corridor environment as a priority. The following aims have been defined through consultation with key stakeholders:

 reduce vehicle speeds through the villages of West Winch and North Runcton;  create a safer pedestrian environment with safe crossings and wider pedestrian areas throughout the NP area;  improve the environment of the existing A10 road corridor;  reduce peak-time congestion on the A10 and A47;  ensure new development does not cause congestion;  create a network of walking and cycling routes;  reduce car dependency by providing local services within 5 mins walking distance;  improve public transport.

TR01 ‘Parallel route’ The Borough Council’s Core Strategy, adopted July 2011, Policy CS11, identified a need for a bypass for West Winch and this would be a ‘priority’.

In consultation since 2010 several focus groups have looked at transport and road issues and have included specialist transport consultants employed by the Princes Foundation, NCC Highways Department, Highways Agency, BCKLWN and urban design, engineering and planning consultants employed by ZAL and Hopkins Homes.

At a Stakeholder workshop with Princes Foundation in October 2010 themes of ‘sustainable growth’ were explored. Top aspirations identified by Stakeholders were the “alleviate traffic numbers and speed along the A10 by creating new linkages across key arterial routes in South King’s Lynn” along with “improve sustainable transport links into King’s Lynn”. Other key ideas identified included “a need for an A10 – A47 – A149 link”. (refer West Winch Community Planning Workshop. The West Winch Strategy for Sustainable Growth November 2011 produced by Alan Baxter and Associates, states (page 49) that ‘the A10 cycle route appeal to cyclists is limited due to volume of HGV traffic’. ‘Narrow pavements, lack of crossing points and speed and volume of traffic on the A10 are problematic to pedestrians’. The West Winch and North Runcton Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire (September 2012) also identified road and transport issues as a major concern of reseidents. 23% of respondents suggested the need for a bypass or relief road in one or other of their answers, and importantly, that this relief road/bypass had to be in place before the proposed housing commenced so as to alleviate existing problems. However many respondents also identified concerns relating to the environmental impacts of building a new major road.

No bypass - no housing

Consultation with BCKLWN, NCC and the Highways Agency has tended to suggest that funding for a bypass is now unlikely, despite the prioritisation identified in CS11 of the

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Core Strategy. However, construction of a ‘relief road’ for the A10, funded directly or indirectly through development seems achievable. Consultation shows that, in spite of concerns about the environmental impacts of this ‘parallel route’, which would provide an alternative access between the A10 and A47, the majority of residents feel this road is essential if the Core Strategy plans for housing come forward and should be delivered early.

POLICY TR01: No detailed major planning applications for housing of cumulatively 50 or more houses from any source in the NP area shall be approved without the following being in place. • The route of the new “parallel route” must be agreed in detail by all interested parties, fully designed and costed so that it is known to be deliverable, with land legally secured for its construction as necessary. A suggested approximate route is indicated in the neighbourhood plan ‘settlement concept’ diagram. • A delivery plan for the parallel route must be agreed with West Winch and North Runcton Parish Councils and with the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk. This will include all commitments to funding mechanisms that guarantee delivery of the whole of the new route. • The entirety of the new “parallel route” will be open to traffic before 200 houses cumulatively are occupied. • Design should include environmental impact mitigation and integration with non- vehicular transport corridors.

TR02 A10 road corridor improvements Further workshops were held with local people, transport specialists landowners and developers to consider proposals for alleviating the environmental concerns along the A10. This together with community consultation identified key areas of concern and proposals for improvement. (Refer to Figure 7.0).

POLICY TR02: Major development proposals coming forward as part of Core Strategy strategic site allocation are subject to the following A10 road corridor improvements being secured:  Redevelopment of a section of the road in central West Winch A10 between Chapel Lane and Long Lane to improve the village centre and create safe access to adjacent sites.  The introduction of traffic calming measures for central West Winch.  The introduction of new safe crossings and wider pedestrian areas at identified sections of the road, bus stops and Gravelhill Lane  Improved junctions at Gravelhill Lane and Garage Lane.  Improvements to sections of footpath / cycle path along the A10 and links to adjacent safe cycling routes.

TR03 Road design It is considered essential that traffic speed must be controlled so as to improve road safety and enhance road environments – especially within the village areas.

POLICY TR03: Where new roads are planned, design should accord with the following principles:

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 Roads will be planned6 and designed to minimise the speed of traffic – where the majority of routes within the neighbourhood plan area will remain predominantly residential or rural in character.  The maximum speed for traffic shall be 40mph, on through routes, 30mph on main distributor roads and in the village centres and 20mph on residential roads.  Pedestrians and cyclists must be able to cross all roads safely and conveniently.

TR04 Public transport Public transport provision for the area remains poor and there are no apparent specific plans for improvement. An increased population could support more frequent bus services if development is designed to support this type of infrastructure. Residents have spoken of particular difficulty of crossing to and from bus stops along the A10.

The two Parish Councils will work with stakeholders to ensure the following:  Bus stops to be designed to enable easy access to buses for all users to current best practice standards  Provision of an ‘intelligent’ bus shelter, with CCTV and real time timetable information  Provision of frequent and on-going bus services

POLICY TR04: Residential development proposed as part of Core Strategy policy CS09 should be located within 2 minutes walk/distance of a bus stop.

All stops must be designed to enable easy access to buses for all users. Each local centre should have an ‘intelligent’ bus shelter, with ‘real-time’ timetable information. Section 106 contributions will be sought to secure the necessary standards for public transport infrastructure.

TR05 Hierarchy of cyclepaths and footpaths An excellent non-vehicular network of paths and tracks (within the neighbourhood plan area and to centres beyond) will help promote walking and cycling, offer real choice for local journeys and support health, recreation and environmental goals. The networks should be determined in consultation with relevant community stakeholders and developers to ensure the best use of land available.

POLICY TR05: Major development proposals will include for the design, delivery and funding of an integrated network of cycle paths, footpaths and dual use paths throughout the Neighbourhood Plan Area.

Development will provide for a hierarchy of cycle and footpaths from streetscapes to open countryside, and linking important community assets such as local centres, community

6 Refer to Development policies for more on road hierarchy and the DoT publications Manual for Streets 1 and Manual for Streets 2 (2007, 2010).

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facilities, public open space, and key destinations (e.g. King’s Lynn town centre and the Hardwick industrial estate). Developers should demonstrate that:  Cycle path design (widths, surfaces, signage, junctions etc.) are implemented to best practice standards7.  Safe routes8 are established between homes and schools, play areas and principal community facilities.  Protected space will be provided for cyclists at road junctions.  Main cycle routes are predominantly on dedicated paths with safe separation from roads and pedestrians.  Appropriate provision is made at destinations for cycle parking.  Appropriate levels of lighting and site furniture are provided (seats / bins).  DDA compatible signage (with destinations and distances) is provided, including interpretation signage where appropriate.

7 eg Cycle Infrastructure Design, DoT, LTN 2/08 8 The accepted definition for a ‘safe’ cycle route in parts of continental Europe is one that an 8 year old child can use independently.

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: Sustainability of the Plan and Evidence Base

An appraisal has been undertaken to ensure that evidence gathered has informed the objectives and policies of the Neighbourhood Plan. Some of the documents and other sources used in the evidence base are listed below. A full record of the consultation process has also been prepared and forms a separate supporting Consultation Statement document.

Evidence Base

1. National Planning Documents National Planning Policy Framework (2012) Statutory Instrument 2012 No. 637, Town and Country Planning, England (2012) Department of Transport, Building Sustainable Transport into New Developments (2008) Department of Transport, Manual for Streets (2007 and 2010) Department of Transport, Cycle Infrastructure Design LTN 2/08 Planning Policy Statement 1; Delivering Sustainable Development (2005) The Localism Act (2011) Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (Section 61G) Neighbourhood Planning (General Regulations 2012 (Regulation 6) Designation of a Neighbourhood Area Approval Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (Section 61G) Neighbourhood Planning (General)

2. Local Planning Documents Norfolk County Council: Parking Standards for Norfolk (2007) Partnership of Norfolk District Councils: Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (2008) The Norfolk Structure Plan (1999) The BCKLWN Core Strategy (adopted 2011) The emerging BCKLWN Detailed Policies and Sites Plan (2013)9 The King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Green Infrastructure Study (2009) The BCKLWN Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (2011) The King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Landscape Character Assessment (2007) BCKLWN Sports Recreation and Open Space Assessment (2006)

3. Other Published Sources Regional Cities East: A Business Case for Enabling Measures from Government, 2007 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA): The Case for Space: The Size of England’s New Homes (2011) Town and Country Planning Association: Creating Garden Cities and Suburbs Today (2012) UK National Censuses 1801-2011 Rural Services Network – May 2014 Natural England Green Space Standard (ANGST 2010) Woodland Trust ‘Woodland Access Standard’ Fields in Trust (Formally NPFA) – Planning and Design Guidance DEFRA Code of practice for sustainable use of soils on construction sites (2009)

9 A draft version of this document was consulted upon in 2013 and is due to be adopted in 2015. It will effectively form the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk ‘Local Plan’. In theory it does not have to be conformed to until adopted, but it has been pertinent to refer to it.

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Code for Sustainable Homes, Department for Community and Local Government November 2010 North Runcton/West Winch Surface Water Management Study (2014) Prepared by the Middle Level Commissioners for the East of Ouse, Polver and Nar Internal Drainage Boardon behalf of the Neighbourhood Plan steering group. PADH1 – HSE’s Land Use Planning Methodology BREEAM – Code for a Sustainable Built Environment Rural East Anglia Partnership Borough Council’s Strategic Housing Market Assessment (Final draft 2007). Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) - Secured by Design. Lifetime Homes Design Guide.

4. Selected Websites Norfolk County Council, Planning, Performance and Partnership Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Norfolk Insight Planning Advisory Service

Other Sources and Acknowledgements North Runcton and West Winch Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group West Winch Parish Council North Runcton Parish Council Prince’s Foundation and their sub-consultants. Zurich Assurance / Threadneedle Investments and their consultants Hopkins Homes and their consultants Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk’s LDF Team Residents and Businesses from North Runcton and West Winch Norfolk County Council – Environment, Transport and Development, Children’s Services and Property Services departments Highways Agency Anglian Water Internal Drainage Boards Norfolk Wildlife Trust Locality, Planning Aid and the Community Development Foundation Henry Bellingham MP Rural Services Network National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG) National Grid Transco Woodland Trust Britton Estate Agents, King’s Lynn Brown & Co Estate Agents, King’s Lynn HSE – Paul Elliott

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APPENDIX B: Monitoring and Review

Assuming adoption of the Neighbourhood Plan it will cover the period 2015-2026. Development that takes place during this time, both within and beyond the parishes, will have an impact on the communities as well as on the physical fabric of the villages. Each new development will influence what happens next and where. It is, therefore, essential to the long-term success of the Plan that developments in North Runcton, West Winch/Setchey and neighbouring parishes are monitored and reviewed against the Plan’s objectives and against the policies designed to guide them. The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group along with both Parish Councils will make arrangements to monitor developments and carry out an annual review of the Neighbourhood Plan.

APPENDIX C: London Plan Implementation Framework Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance Nov 2012 (Relating to Neighbourhood Plan Policy DH19)

4.3 Circulation in the home 4.3.1 The minimum width of hallways and other circulation spaces inside the home should be 900mm. This may reduce to 750mm at ‘pinch points’ e.g. next to radiators, where doorway widths meet the following specification:

Minimum clear opening width of Minimum width of hallway where door is in side doorway (mm) wall (mm) 750 1200 775 1050 900 900 Where a hallway is at least 900mm wide and the approach to the door is head-on, a minimum clear opening door width of 750mm should be provided [Lifetime Homes Criterion 6)

4.4 Living/ Dining/ Kitchen 4.4.1 The following combined floor areas for living / kitchen / dining space should be met:

Designed level of occupancy Minimum combined floor area of living, dining and kitchen spaces (sq.m) 2 person 23 3 person 25 4 person 27 5 person 29 6 person 31

4.4.2 The minimum width of the main sitting area should be 2.8m in 2-3 person dwellings and 3.2m in dwellings designed for four or more people. 4.4.3 Dwellings for five people or more should be capable of having two living spaces, for example a living room and a kitchen-dining room. Both rooms should have external windows. If a kitchen is adjacent to the living room, the internal partition between the rooms should not be load-bearing, to allow for reconfiguration as an open plan arrangement. Studies will not be

Page 53 of 57 considered as second living spaces. 4.4.4There should be space for turning a wheelchair in dining areas and living rooms and basic circulation space for wheelchairs elsewhere [Lifetime Homes Criterion 7]. 4.4.5 A living room, living space or kitchen dining room should be at entrance level [Lifetime Homes Criterion 8]. 4.4.6 Windows in the principal living space should be no higher than 800mm above finished floor level (+/- 50mm) to allow people to see out while seated. At least one opening window should be easy to approach and operate by people with restricted movement and reach. [Lifetime Homes Criterion 15].

4.5.1 Bedrooms 4.5.1 The minimum area of a single bedroom should be 8 sq m. The minimum area of a double or twin bedroom should be 12 sq m. 4.5.3 The minimum width of double and twin bedrooms should be 2.75m in most of the length of the room.

4.6 Bathrooms and WCs 4.6.1 Dwellings designed for a potential occupancy of five or more people should provide a minimum of one bathroom with WC and one additional WC. 4.6.2 Where there is no accessible bathroom at entrance level, a wheelchair accessible WC with potential for a shower to be installed should be provided at entrance level. 4.6.3 An accessible bathroom should be provided in every dwelling on the same storey as a main bedroom [Lifetime Homes Criterion 14]. 4.6.4 Walls in bathrooms and WCs should be capable of taking adaptations such as handrails [Lifetime Homes Criterion 11].

4.7 Storage and Utility 4.7.1 In dwellings supported by the LDA or receiving public subsidy, built-in general internal storage space free of hot water cylinders and other obstructions, with a minimum internal height of 2m and a minimum area of 1.5 sq m should be provided for 1 and 2 person dwellings, in addition to storage provided by furniture in habitable rooms. For each additional occupant an additional 0.5 sq.m of storage space is required. Private sector dwellings should ensure this minimum area (1.5 sq m) either within the dwelling itself or elsewhere within its curtilage provided minimum internal provision includes storage space free of hot water cylinders and other obstructions with a minimum internal height of 2m and a minimum area of 0.8 sq.m for 1 and 2 person dwellings, in addition to storage provided by furniture in habitable rooms. For each additional occupant an additional 0.5 sq m of storage space is required.

4.8 Study and Work 4.8.1 Dwelling plans should demonstrate that all homes are provided with adequate space and services to be able to work from home. The Code for Sustainable Homes guidance on working from home is recommended as a reference. 4.8.2 Dwelling plans should demonstrate that all homes are provided with adequate space and services to be able to work from home. The Code for Sustainable Homes guidance on working from home is recommended as a reference.

The minimum area of a single bedroom should be 8 sq m. The minimum area of a double or twin bedroom should be 12 sq m.

The minimum width of double and twin bedrooms should be 2.75m in most of the length of the room.

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APPENDIX D: Memorandum of Agreement between North Runcton and West Winch Parish Councils.

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APPENDIX E. North Runcton and West Winch Age Structures

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ADDITIONAL APPENDICES (Presented as separate documents)

F. North Runcton and West Winch Character Areas – Local Analysis G. Sites of Special Local Value (including photographs) H. North Runcton/West Winch Surface Water Management Study (2014). Mid-Level Commissioners for the East of Ouse, Polver and Nar Internal Drainage Boards. I. Consultation Statement

For further information contact West Winch or North Runcton Parish Councils:

West Winch Parish Council Clerk: Judy Close 1 Long Lane West Winch PE33 0PG Email: [email protected] Website: www.westwinchpc.org.uk

Telephone: 01553 840823

North Runcton Parish Council Clerk: Rachel Curtis 27 Temple Road King’s Lynn PE30 3SQ

Email: [email protected] Website: www.northrunctonpc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk

Telephone: 01553 673043

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