Valley News

Keswick Triangle Employment Zone

We have already reported on the approval by South Norfolk District Council of the Keswick Triangle Employment Zone. The development situated at it is in the Yare Valley close to Harford Bridge was very unwelcome and we submitted written objections. We have now had an opportunity to look at the details of the approval and the conditions attached. They confirm significant progress has been made towards mitigating the worst impacts of the development.

We argued for all of the traffic on the Mulbarton Road to be diverted via a proposed new roundabout on the Mulbarton Road and a proposed new four-way Tesco traffic light junction. The section of the road between the new roundabout and the existing vee junction with the Ipswich Road could then have been closed to all but local access traffic. This would have provided opportunities for imaginative landscaping of the road to create a buffer between the Yare Valley marshes and the development. Unfortunately, under the new proposals traffic travelling towards Norwich will still have the option to use this section, but at least the level of traffic should be reduced. More positively, a buffer zone will be provided by woodland planting along the west side of the Mulbarton Road between the track to the small Keswick church and the Norfolk Wildlife Trust wetlands. A conservation field margin will border the woodlands.  

We argued for improved facilities for non-motorised users along the Mulbarton Road and kept Norwich Cycle Campaign informed of our views and objections. They submitted comments and objections that complimented ours. (Some of the early plans ignored cyclists needs almost entirely.) The proposals now include a 3.3 m wide footway/cycleway along the west side of Mulbarton road between Harford Bridge (approximately) and Mulbarton Road/Low Road (to Keswick Village) junction. The footway/cycleway will complete a safe circular route for walkers and cyclists: incorporating Church Lane, Keswick Mill, Keswick bridleway, the new footway/cycleway, Ipswich Road and Marsden Lane. It will also give safe access to the tiny Keswick All iSaints Church – an interesting detour.

We continue to hold the view that this is the wrong development for this location. At least we can feel that our representations along with those of others have lessened the impact of the development and have achieved some positive gains for the recreational users and wildlife of the Yare Valley over and above what might have been.

Go to our planning page for details of where to find the approved plans.

Is Giant Hogweed on the march?

A small Giant Hogweed lurks near the flyover:

YVS member Martin Pooley has spotted Giant Hogweed growing in the Valley and has provided us with numerous recent photographs. Giant Hogweed is an invasive non-native species. The Sap can cause severe skin burns and can pose a serious risk to people unaware of its harmful nature.

Take closer look:

Find out more about Giant Hogweed and other invasive species at:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=458 and http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/giant-hogweed

More information for landowners who find Hogweed on their land is at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-the-spread-of-harmful-invasive-and-non-native-plants

Hunt the Hogweed

Please post pictures of any Giant Hogweed or other invasive non-native species you find in the Valley on the YVS Facebook Page. A picture or words that reveals its location would be particularly helpful. This will help us better assess the extent of the problem of invasive plants in the Valley.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

A message to all our members

To conform to the General Data Protection Regulation, we would like to direct your attention to our Privacy Policy, Looking after your personal data, which can be found here. It can also be accessed at any time through the “Join us” page of the YVS website.

If you have any queries or comments please let us know at yarevalleysociety@gmail.com.

Existing YVS members need take no further action to remain members of the Society.

If you do not wish to continue as a member, please let us know as detailed in the final paragraph of the Privacy Policy. We will then delete all of your personal data from our records.

Thank you for supporting the work of the Society.

Approval given for Keswick Triangle Employment Zone

South Norfolk District has approved, by a 6 to 5 vote, development Application 2017/2794 Land West of Ipswich Road, Keswick.

YVS  and Keswick Parish Council amongst many others opposed the application on the grounds that it breached South Norfolk District Councils Planning Policies. The Policies set aside included  those on the Norwich Southern Bypass Landscape Protection Zone, the Undeveloped Approaches to Norwich, and the Site Specific Allocations and Policies. The success of this application is seen as a serious intrusion into the green fringe of Norwich.

This was the second application to develop on this site, the first was refused by a vote of 7 to 5. On a brighter note, during and between the two application processes some progress was made towards matters on which the YVS was pressing. More news once the 38 conditions attached to the application have been studied fully.

Bartram Mowers apply for another development phase on Bluebell Road

The application is for: Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 41 care bungalows with communal facilities, access and ancillary development. Bartram Mowers Ltd Bluebell Road Norwich NR4 7LG

The reference is 18/00265/F and details can be found on the Norwich Planning Portal at https://planning.norwich.gov.uk/online-applications/

Please respond to this application. It impacts on the amenity of the Yare Valley. Comments should be sent to the Norwich Planning Services by 7th May 2018.

Information on how to respond to a Norwich Planning Application can be found at

https://www.norwich.gov.uk/info/20017/planning_applications/1125/view_and_comment_on_planning_applications/2

For background and more information on the development go to PLANNING

Greater Norwich Local Plan

The consultation on the Plan closed on 22nd March 2018. 

A big thank you to everyone who objected to the sites being proposed in the Yare Valley.  The response to a consultation of this sort has been  very good, with the number of objections for just one site alone (Colney Woods) exceeding 120. There may be other responses that were made off-line.

You can still view the site objections on the GNLP website, but it is no longer possible to comment.

To see the Yare Valley Response to the consultation go to our PLANNING page.

Bridge at Colney – Compulsory Purchase Order

South Norfolk District Council are seeking a Compulsory Purchase Order for a strip of land in Colney to enable them to complete the River Yare Pedestrian bridge linking a Colney bridleway from the Watton Road (B1108) with Bowthorpe South Park.

Picture: Flying Scotsman on Marsden Marsh – Jack Gentle