14th May 2025: Proposal for Rackheath Neighbourhood Plan (Revised 2024-2045) – Statutory Consultation on Submitted Plan (Reg. 16)

In accordance with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Broadland District Council is undertaking a period of consultation on the proposed update to the Rackheath Neighbourhood Plan. This consultation commences at 9.00am on 14th May and closes at 5.00pm on 27th June 2025.

This follows an initial assessment of the Plan and supporting documents by Broadland District Council, from which it was concluded that these comply with the criteria specified within Schedule 4B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

This proposal is an update to the original Rackheath Neighbourhood Plan, which was made by Broadland District Council in 2017. The proposed, revised plan has been put together by a working group acting on behalf of Rackheath Community Council. The revised plan includes a vision, a set of objectives, and a series of planning policies that look to shape and guide the future development of the parish up until 2045. Should the revised Neighbourhood Plan ultimately be adopted by Broadland District Council (following an independent examination and a possible referendum), it will have the same weight as the Council’s Local Plan documents and will be used in the determination of planning applications within the parish. 

You can view the proposed revised Neighbourhood Plan in the following ways:
• By visiting www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/planning/future-development/neighbourhood-plans/emerging-neighbourhood-plans-broadland/rackheath-neighbourhood-plan-review
• By visiting one of the following locations during normal opening hours to view a hard copy of the Plan:

o Broadland District Council & South Norfolk Council offices – The Horizon Centre, Broadland Business Park, Peachman Way, Norwich, NR7 0WF (Please call to make a prior appointment – 01603 431133)

o Rackheath Pavilion - Green Lane West, Rackheath, NR13 6LT (open Tues-Fri, 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm; contact 01603 920990 to arrange viewing)

o Sprowston Library – Recreation Ground Road, Norwich, NR7 8EW (open Tues & Weds 10am-7pm; Thurs 2-7pm; Fri 10am-7pm; Sat 9.30am-4pm)
If you have any difficulty accessing any of these documents online or at the above locations, then please contact the Council’s Place Shaping Team on (01508) 533805.

Response forms are available to complete in each of the above locations and online at the aforementioned webpage.

 

Completed responses should be submitted to the following address before 27th June 2025:

 

Email: neighbourhoodplans@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk

Or by post: Place Shaping Team, Broadland District Council, The Horizon Centre, Broadland Business Park, Peachman Way, Norwich, NR7 0WF

Yours sincerely,
Richard Squires
Senior Community Planning Officer
Place Shaping Team

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Consultation on the draft revised Neighbourhood Plan

 

Thank you to all those that responded to the consultation on the draft Neighbourhood Plan. The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group are considering all the responses before submitting the Plan to Broadland District Council for checking and possible independent Examination.

 

READ THE DRAFT

• Rackheath Neighbourhood Plan 

• Rackheath Design Guidance and Codes (Appendix)

 

Other background documents (for information only)

• Data profile for Rackheath

• Housing Needs Assessment

• Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Report

• Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report

• Statement to accompany pre-submission version, November 2024

 

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What is a neighbourhood plan?

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A neighbourhood plan is a legal document that sets out planning policies for your area and can:

• Protect local green spaces;

• Encourage better designed places;

• Focus on the policies and areas important to the local community;

It’s written by the local community and helps get the right types of development, in the right place.

 

Neighbourhood Plans give communities an increased ability to influence planning within their area. Plans need to conform with planning policies and guidance at a local, national and European level and meet the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations. Neighbourhood Plans are tested in an independent examination. They also need to demonstrate involvement of the local community in decision making and be subject to a community referendum.

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Where is Rackheath in terms of its Neighbourhood Plan?

 

In July 2017 Rackheath had its first Neighbourhood Plan adopted to guide future development in the area between 2017 and 2037. A lot has changed since 2017. We are now reviewing the Neighbourhood Plan and updating the policies.  

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How can I get involved?

 

A steering group of Community Councillors and local residents has been set up to review the content of the Neighbourhood Plan alongside consultations and listening to local community views.

 

Members include (but are not limited to): 

Nicola Kerr (Chair), Pippa Nurse (Vice-Chair), and Fran Whymark.  

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Please contact Rackheath Parish Clerk if you would like to get involved.

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Consultation time!

This is your chance to have your say on the plans. On Sunday17th November 2024 there will be a drop-in exhibition at The Pavilion, Green Lane West, Rackheath NR13 6LT between 11am and 2pm, as well as Thursday 21st November at The Pavilion between 11am and 1.30pm, then Holy Trinity Church on Salhouse Road between 3pm and 8pm.​

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The consultation will run from 17th November 2024 to 6th January 2025 - a printed copy will be available to read during usual office hours (although please phone 01603 920990 to check that a member of staff is available as there are occasions when we may be out of the office on appointments) or online.

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Neighbourhood Plan Area

 

The area covered by the Neighbourhood Plan is the whole of the parish of Rackheath.

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Map Source: Broadland District Council with own annotations based on Parish Online data