The proposals for North Walsham West are informed by evidence and policies which are summarised on this page.
Context
North Norfolk District Council has declared a state of Climate Emergency recognising the impacts of climate change on the District. North Norfolk may experience hotter and drier summers, milder and wetter winters, flooding and more extreme climate events. In addition, some areas will suffer increasing risk of coastal flooding and erosion due to rising sea levels. Wetter winters will increase pressure on drainage systems. Climate change, sea level rise and coastal erosion will also have impacts on biodiversity and coastal geology and measures need to be taken to enable wildlife to adapt to future changes.
National Planning Policy Framework
14. Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change
Paragraphs 148 to 169
148. The planning system should support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate, taking full account of flood risk and coastal change. It should help to: shape places in ways that contribute to radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, minimise vulnerability and improve resilience; encourage the reuse of existing resources, including the conversion of existing buildings; and support renewable and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure.
15. Conserving and enhancing the natural environment
Paragraphs 170 to 183
170. Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by:
(a) protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, sites of biodiversity or geological value and soils (in a manner commensurate with their statutory status or identified quality in the development plan);
(b) recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services – including the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land, and of trees and woodland;
(c) maintaining the character of the undeveloped coast, while improving public access to it where appropriate;
(d) minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures;
(e) preventing new and existing development from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability. Development should, wherever possible, help to improve local environmental conditions such as air and water quality, taking into account relevant information such as river basin management plans; and
(f) remediating and mitigating despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land, where appropriate.
The National Planning Policy Framework can be found here: NPPF (opens in new window)
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment provides a comprehensive and robust appraisal of the extent and nature of flood risk from all sources of flooding, now, and in the future, taking into account the effects of Climate Change and its implications for land use planning.
National Policy requires that local planning policies use the results of the SFRA to direct development away from areas at greatest risk of flooding when preparing the Local Development Plan.
The Study sets out the flood risk constraints to help inform the Local Plan, the development brief and planning applications for North Walsham West.
The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment can be found here: SFRA (opens in new window)