Received from Lotus, Hethel:
Track schedule:
A Norfolk Constabulary initiative, Operation Radium, is focused on tackling courier fraud across the county. They have asked the Parish Council to support them in raise awareness and protect vulnerable members of the community.
Please see their letter below:
We received the following from the Project Director, Simon Pepper:
Norwich to Tilbury submits Development Consent Order application
National Grid has today submitted an application for a Development Consent Order for Norwich to Tilbury. This submission is a landmark moment and follows more than three years of consultation with landowners, local communities and stakeholders. Their comments, along with environmental and technical assessments have helped us to develop our final proposals.
Our proposals include a new transmission line between Norwich and Tilbury along with two new substations. If consent is granted, the project will boost electricity capacity across a region that has historically had limited transmission infrastructure.
This project is a key part of The Great Grid Upgrade, 17 major infrastructure projects in England and Wales designed to help deliver more homegrown British energy to where it is needed, boosting local economies, creating jobs, and providing cleaner, more affordable energy.
The Great Grid Upgrade is vital to increase Britain’s energy security and meet growing demand for electricity in the years ahead. With demand expected to double by 2050, the Norwich to Tilbury upgrade will provide enough electricity to power up to six million homes and businesses.
The Planning Inspectorate now has up to 28 days to decide whether to accept the application. If accepted, our submission documents will be published on the Planning Inspectorate’s website. This will include a Consultation Report providing responses to the feedback submitted during the 2024 statutory consultation and the targeted consultations earlier this year.
The Planning Inspectorate will then appoint an Examining Authority which will hold a six-month examination of our application. Local residents, landowners and our stakeholders will be able to register an interest at that point so they can provide comments and take part in the examination period. We provide more information on how to take part if our application is accepted.
Following examination, the Examining Authority will then prepare a detailed report along with its recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. The Secretary of State then has three months to decide whether to approve the application.
We expect the whole process to take around 18 months.
I would like to thank you and your parish Councillors for your continued engagement as we developed our proposals. If you would like any further information, please get in touch.
Yours faithfully
Simon Pepper
Project Director (contact@n-t.nationalgrid.com)
Norwich to Tilbury
In the last edition of the Mardle you were told about “The stream with no name” i.e. the watercourse which flows from Wymondham Road through Wreningham and Top Row and on into the River Tas. We outlined our intention to find a name for it. So having created a very long list of possibles (based on geography, local history, local names, and local folklore), it was weeded to a medium list and then reviewed into a shortlist. This was presented for public vote at the Community event in the Village Hall on 30th August.
Yesterday by 4pm, in the Hall, 52 votes were cast to select a name for the nameless watercourse. The voters were asked to pick one option which came in two parts:
- the name: “Wren-chase”, “Wren”, “Mill” and “Drown’d Horse”, and
- the watercourse type: “Sike”, “Beck”, “Rill” and “Brook”
The results were, from 46 valid votes:
- 11 for Wren Brook
- 9 for Wren Beck
- 6 for Mill Beck
- 5 for Wren-chase Beck
- 4 for Drown’d Horse Brook
- 2 for Drown’d Horse Beck
- 2 for Mill Rill
- 2 for Wren Sike
- 2 for Wren-chase Brook
- 1 for Wren Rill
- 1 for Wren-chase Rill
- 1 for Wren-chase Sike
5 invalid votes: 3 with 2 choices; 1 with 4 choices; 1 no selection (alternative name suggested)
The next step is to contact the authorities about the chosen name and request that it be formally adopted for the watercourse.
My thanks to all the voters for their interest and votes, and, to the two vote count overseers, who ensured all the votes were accounted for.
From: Olivia Crowe, Legal Officer, Planning Team, NCC – contacts Tel: 01603 224470 Email: olivia.crowe@norfolk.gov.uk
Please find below a Notice in relation to a temporary closure or traffic restriction for the B1113. Closure is is anticipated between 19:00 on 20th August and 06:00 on 21st August 2025. If you require a copy of the HM Notice or Order please let her know.
Anticipated dates are stated but the Orders may continue until the end date where necessary or required.
Olivia Crowe deals with the legal documentation only and will not be able to answer queries relating to the works or diversion route. Full details on the closures/restrictions are available at https://one.network. Any enquiries that cannot be answered on the one.network website should be directed to the relevant Streetworks Team by email at streetworks@norfolk.gov.uk or telephone 0344 800 8020 (quoting the TTRO reference given below).
From The Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership Team:
You can now support and celebrate the passion, dedication and hard work of local communities and volunteers who are making a real difference for nature across Norfolk. Until 1st September, you can nominate them for one of the 6 Award categories at this year’s Norfolk Community Biodiversity Awards which are being held on 4th October at The Forum in Norwich:
- Young People’s Achievement
- Saving Species
- Spaces for Nature and Wellbeing
- Richard Waddingham Ponds Award
- Groups
- Rivers and Wetlands (not ponds)
More than that, local community groups and nature volunteers can benefit from a free stand at the Biodiversity Fair that will precede the Awards ceremony. You don’t have to be nominated for an award in order to have a stand, if interested just email biodiversityawards@norfolk.gov.uk with your request. The event is a great opportunity to network, share ideas and engage with members of the public and recruit new volunteers.
For more information about the Community Biodiversity Awards, the Fair and how to nominate someone please visit www.norfolkbiodiversity.org
The Norfolk Community Safety Partnership (NCSP) brings together local organisations—including councils, police, fire services, probation, youth services, health, and housing—to tackle crime, reduce disorder, and respond to serious violence. The goal is to keep Norfolk a safe place to live, work, and visit.
The want to hear from residents about their experiences regarding crime and antisocial behaviour in their local area. Hence their survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/RYE7L7/ which is open until 1st August.
Anglia Water are undertaking air valve relocation works in Wymondham Road. The road will be temporarily closed (except for pedestrian access) for the duration of the works. See the Temporary Closure notice below.
Draft South Norfolk Landscape Susceptibility in relation to energy generation, storage and transmission Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) 09 July – 18 August 2025.
South Norfolk Council are seeking views on their draft Landscape Susceptibility in relation to energy generation, storage and transmission SPD. It provides guidance and information for energy related planning applications.
To view the draft SPD and respond to the consultation visit the website here. Paper copies of the document and response forms are available at libraries and the Millennium Library in Norwich.
The consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 18th August. After this date all the responses received will be considered and amendments made to the SPD as appropriate.
If you have any questions or experience any difficulty in submitting your comments online, please telephone us on 01508 533805 or email localplan.snc@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
Supplementary Planning Documents for South Norfolk Council
SPDs help explain how certain policies in the Local Plan should be used when making planning decisions. They don’t create new policies, but they do give extra detail and guidance to make the planning process clearer. SNC has several SPDs to support planning in South Norfolk, which you can see below.
Planning for a greener future in South Norfolk, balancing progress with protection: South Norfolk Landscape Susceptibility in relation to Energy Generation, Storage and Transmission Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) Draft
View the consultation document
South Norfolk is quickly becoming a focus for new energy infrastructure projects. As proposals for solar farms, battery storage, substations, and powerlines increase, it’s vital to understand how these developments could impact our diverse landscapes, from peaceful river valleys and open farmland to the edges of our towns.
To help guide smart and sustainable planning, South Norfolk Council has asked The Landscape Partnership to carry out a Landscape Susceptibility Study. This study explores how different types of energy projects can be thoughtfully integrated into the local environment, while preserving the area’s unique character.
This document is intended to ensure future developments are well-suited to their surroundings and align with both national and local planning policies. This study will support the Council in making informed decisions that balance progress with protection, ensuring South Norfolk remains a beautiful place to live, work, and visit.
Where an area has been identified as highly susceptible, we would not be in favour of development.
In accordance with the relevant regulations the Council have produced a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations assessment (HRA) Screening Report to accompany the draft SPD.
An Equalities and Communities Impact Assessment can be found here for this draft SPD.
Go to the webpage – for other SPDs:
- Food Hub SPD
- Open Space SPD
- Norwich Research Park Development Framework SPD
- South Norfolk Place-Making Guide SPD
- Norfolk County Council Parking Standard SPD
Advice notes and reference documents (do not have the weight of an SPD)
- Proposals for Custom and Self Build Housing (PDF 176KB)
- Planning for waste and recycling collections and street care in new developments (PDF 621KB).
- South Norfolk Council Working from Home Advice Note
- South Norfolk Council Agricultural Occupancy Restrictions and the Removal of Occupancy Conditions Advice Note.
One reason that we did not have local elections in May was that a local government reorganisation is under way directly affecting Norfolk and Suffolk at Council and District Council levels. There are likely to be implications for Ward and Parish levels too. A number of options are being considered, but whatever happens decisions must be made to enable local authority elections to happen in May 2026.
SNC is running a public survey as an opportunity for residents, businesses and anyone else interested in giving their views about this Local Government Reorganisation.
You can find a link to the survey here: Your Voice, Your Future
For more information please contact Sinead Carey, Strategic Advisor & Deputy Monitoring Officer, South Norfolk Council
01508533661 sinead.carey@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk