This page provides information on the development plan used to make planning decisions in Norwich and emerging planning policy.
The City of Norwich Replacement Local Plan and Joint core strategy (JCS) for Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk and the Northern City Centre Area Action Plan are currently used to make planning decisions in Norwich, along with national and regional policy.
The Local plan is gradually being replaced by the Local development framework (LDF). In March 2011, the JCS became the most recent part of the LDF to be adopted. More information on the development plan can be found below.
National policy and guidance
The government publishes national planning guidance and policy documents, research and statistics. Planning policy guidance notes (PPGs) and planning policy statements (PPSs) are currently used to help make planning decisions and to inform the council’s own local planning policy. The government has stated its intention to replace PPGs and PPSs with a shorter “National planning policy framework”. Further information is available from the following links:
Regional/sub-regional policy
Although the government has stated its intention to revoke the Regional spatial strategy (East of England plan), it remains part of the development plan for Norwich. This will remain the case until the revocation process is formally completed through the Localism Bill, which is likely to be in 2012.
The Norfolk structure plan, was prepared by Norfolk County Council and adopted in October 1999. Although the structure plan ceased to have effect as a development plan in 2007, a number of its policies have been 'saved': EC.10, T.2, T.17 and RC.8. It is envisaged that these remaining saved policies will subsequently be replaced by further policies contained in the LDF.
The Norfolk minerals local plan, was prepared by Norfolk County Council and reviewed in January 2004. This contains planning policies to guide development related to the winning and working of minerals in Norfolk. The
Norfolk waste local plan, was prepared by Norfolk County Council and adopted in December 2000. This contains planning policies to guide development related to the disposal and management of waste in Norfolk. These plans will be superseded by the new
Minerals and waste development framework now being prepared by the county council.
Local policy
The City of Norwich replacement local plan (adopted in November 2004) provides guidance for developers and the council's own development control service on where and what kind of development may be permitted in the city. It has detailed planning policies for the city and allocates uses for particular sites. These policies are gradually being superseded by the LDF. A table of policies currently in use can be found below.
Some planning policies are explained in more detail through additional guidance. The council has adopted supplementary planning guidance and supplementary planning documents to do this.
Local development framework
In 2004, the government introduced a new system to prepare and deliver planning policy. This is called the Local development framework.
Norwich City Council adopted the
Joint core strategy (JCS) for Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk in March 2011. The plan forms part of the Local development framework for Norwich. It contains strategic policies covering the period 2008-26 and replaces relevant parts of the
City of Norwich replacement local plan (adopted November 2004) and its proposals map. The plan area is the districts of Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk, excluding those areas administered by the Broads Authority.
Below are links to the timetable to produce new policies (the Local development scheme), a code of practice on how the council will involve people in producing planning policies (the Statement of community involvement), and regular monitoring reports (the Annual monitoring report and Retail and shops monitor report).