Enhancing the Valley for wildlife and informal recreation
We have had a report of dead fish being seen in the river.
If you see any dead fish in the river, or notice any other environmental incident, please note the precise details of the incident and report it to the Environmental Agency using their 24 hour hotline 0800 80 70 60. Examples of the incidents the Environmental Agency want to know about are given at www.gov.uk/report-an-environmental-incident.
Norwich City Council has still to make a decision on the proposals for Phase 2 of McCarthy and Stone Phase 2 development. Norwich City Council has serious concerns about the proposals, and you can see the details of the concerns on the Planning Portal. Search under reference 18/00265/F. Click on the documents tab, and then “View associated documents”. Select document dated 10 July.
Concerns include: Planning use class; Design, layout and character; Transport; Flood risk; Renewable energy/sustainability; and Open space.
YVS shares Norwich City Council’s concerns and wishes them well in their continuing negotiations with the developers.
The field is now formally open to the public. The City Council has consulted YVS about the plans for the field, and on the design of an interpretation board, and possible waymarking signs. Work on these matters continues. Sign design is being considered that could eventually be used for waymarking the whole of the Yare Valley Walk. A variation of the design could be used to identify circular walks based on with the Valley Walk.
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.
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
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.
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.
A message to all our members
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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.
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Thank you for supporting the work of the Society.
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
For background and more information on the development go to PLANNING
The consultation on the Greater Norwich Local Plan consultation ended on Thursday 22 March 2018.
Click on the following headings to see the responses made by the Yare Valley Society:
Growth and the Green Infrastructure
A big thank you to all who responded to help safeguard the Yare Valley for the future. The outcomes will be reported on our website once they become available.
The following sites, all or part, are in the existing protected green space of Yare Valley Green Infrastructure Corridor (River Valleys Policies: SNDC Policy ENV2 and NCC Policy NE 1):
Colney
0158 A substantial removal of protected green space
0253 Colney Hall. Extensions to existing site approval. Extensions take up a substantial area of existing protected green space.
0514 A narrow stretch of land to the river’s edge. An intrusion into the protected green space, which is damaging as itself, but, if approved, could create a dangerous precedent for future adjacent green space development.
0140 A and B. The Rugby Club development which includes a large clubhouse, road and car parking. Permission has already been granted for a strictly conditioned development on these sites in spite of them being in a “protected” area. Granting status as a “Development Site” would open the door to further development beyond what has already been approved. It could also facilitate another application for a different development should the present approved development not go ahead.
Cringleford
0244 Involves substantial loss of protected woodland. Possible impact on water runoff into the Valley with potential increased flooding downstream, as a result of loss of water holding woodland.
0461 A significant removal of protected green space
Norwich
0133 E and F Substantial loss of protected green space between Bluebell Road and the river and including that currently accommodating the Little Tinkers Horse and Donkey Sanctuary. Development here would obstruct the existing green linkage between the Valley and Eaton Park.
0184 Flood vulnerable development at rivers edge.
Please note: this list is provided in good faith, but please check with the GNLP literature if you wish to comment in detail on any one particular site.
Don’t Panic! These are proposed sites. Your comments can help to ensure they never appear in the final Greater Norwich Local Plan.
Good Luck. Thank you for helping us to protect the Yare Valley.