Please see the Traffic Order from NCC legal team about road closures from 1st June to 25th September 2026. This is related to the construction of the new roundabout by Hethel Engineering. Please note that Jim Webber, SNC District Councillor, is hoping to arrange a public meeting with the construction team to discuss the roundabout project and its impact on local people.
We have been advised that there are changes to bus routes effective from 12 April. Here is a summary, (links to the relevant companies are at the end of the document):
Email dated 25 March 2026 from the Chief Executive of Norfolk CC, Tom McCabe:
The Government has confirmed plans for reorganisation and is minded to a three unitary council model for Norfolk. Subject to the required statutory and parliamentary steps, this would mean that from April 2028 three new unitary councils would replace the existing eight councils.
What this means for Norfolk
The new structure will include:
- West Norfolk Council (current local government areas of Breckland, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, and 9 parishes from South Norfolk).
- Greater Norwich Council (current local government areas of Norwich, 19 parishes from Broadland, and 16 parishes from South Norfolk).
- East Norfolk Council (current local government areas of Broadland (less 19 parishes), Great Yarmouth, North Norfolk, and South Norfolk (less 25 parishes)).
While this is not the structure Norfolk County Council had proposed, we will work to collaboratively to ensure that the Government’s plan for reorganisation delivers councils that are effective, stable and sustainable, and able to work well with partners to deliver high-quality services.
Where to find information on the announcement
You can read the written statement from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the future of local government in Norfolk.
Working collaboratively with partners
We recognise the vital role Town and Parish Councils in supporting local communities. As transition planning develops, we remain committed to ensuring that we work with partners to shape arrangements that are built around communities, shaped by place, and designed to reflect how people live and thrive.
What happens next
Parliament must now approve the legal change that creates the new council.
Our focus is on planning a well-governed transition that keeps services stable and running safely, while we work together to build a new unitary council structure that is stronger, simpler and better able to deliver for Norfolk. We will work collaboratively with the other Norfolk councils, partners and Government to shape the future model and maintain strong partnership working throughout.
Throughout this period, all councils will continue to deliver business-as-usual services and meet statutory responsibilities, with no immediate changes to service delivery.
We will provide further updates as key stages progress, and we will ensure there are opportunities for partners to stay informed and feed into emerging arrangements as they develop.
With regards,
Tom McCabe, Chief Executive
Executive Assistant: naomi.alden@norfolk.gov.uk
County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich. NR1 2DH
Mineral extraction, processing and associated activities with importation of inert material and restoration to agriculture and two small ponds without compliance with conditions 2 (timescales) and 3 (approved documents) of planning permission
C/7/2013/7014.: Longwater Gravel Co Ltd
Planning application is here
See NCC letter below for contact & commenting information:
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) recently launched a consultation on proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Norfolk. All three proposals submitted for Norfolk are now open for consultation until 11 January 2026.
The proposals:
- South Norfolk Council’s proposal for a two-council model
- Other districts’ proposal for a three-council model
- Norfolk County Council’s proposal for a single unitary authority
The consultation is here: Consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Norfolk and Suffolk – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – Citizen Space
You are invited to respond to the consultation and to share your views. Your input will help in shaping the future of local government in Norfolk.
For more information contact
Sinead Carey, Strategic Advisor & Deputy Monitoring Officer sinead.carey@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
Reference: 2025/0806
Applicant: Mr Poole
Location: Land West Of Wymondham Road, Bracon Ash [Road connecting B1113 to Flordon]
Proposal: The installation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) including associated infrastructure and landscaping
Application Type: Full Planning Permission
This planning application has been resubmitted for public consultation following a request from Norfolk County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) for a clearer statement on drainage on site. Comments to South Norfolk by 31 December 2025 [although it is noted that the LLFA have asked for an extension to 15 January 2026].
Tel 01508 533813 / 01603 430509
planning@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
All the planning documents can be accessed here. Documents on the South Norfolk website detail this application and include:
Landscape and Visual Assessment document dated March 2025 (2025_0806-LANDSCAPE_AND_VISUAL_ASSESSMENT-8714520.pdf)
Pg5/6 offers a description of the site:
“2.2.3 The development would comprise of the following:
- The batteries will be housed in containers running in parallel rows across the site.
- The containers will have a maximum built form of 3m.
- The BESS containers will require site levelling and small-scale groundworks for the implementation along with slab foundations.
- A Developer and District Network Operator (DNO) substation compound and associated access and infrastructure.
- Cabins including a switchgear / meter room.
- Internal service roads will run through the site.
- Underground and overground cabling.
- 2m high security fencing would be erected around the site boundary to restrict access to the site with CCTV at regular intervals.
- Associated landscape works.
2.2.4 The site would be accessed from Wymondham Road with new access roads connecting traffic from the road to the development area.
2.2.5 The development is expected to be operational for 35 years. At the end of this period, the development will be dismantled, and the site restored, or an application would be submitted to extend the life of the development….”
Pg 67 – visibility assessment for a radius of 3km from the site
Community Engagement
We have received information from the campaign group and I have extracted the document relevant to this area.
| For number of HGVs on roads near you, see page 10 onwards: click here. For road closures & diversions, look for the blue dashed/dotted lines in the maps for your area. The information is in documents by section called, “2.5 Access, Rights of Way and Public Rights of Navigation Plans”: Section A – Norwich to Roydon [See section A, sheets 3, 4 and 5 for an indication of the planning affecting the areas from Bracon Ash, Top Row, Flordon, Hapton] [Other sections removed] For the full document library, click here. To see what the pylons will look like, do ctrl-F in the document library and search for ‘Visualisations’. For detailed maps for your area, do ctrl-F and search Land Plans. You can also search for Trees and Hedgerows to find the documents showing which will have to be removed. |
| From Rosie Pearson and the Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons team Offshore better, faster, cheaper Donations welcome: Fundraising – Pylons East Anglia 07766 650208 pylons180@gmail.com |
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Norfolk County Council are inviting you to let us know your thoughts on our annual budget consultation proposals.
- We want to find out what people think about our 2026-27 budget proposals.
- The consultation runs from Monday 27 October 2025 and closes on Monday 15 December 2025. The consultation is available here: www.norfolk.gov.uk/budget
- We will feed back the findings from our consultation to our county councillors as part of the evidence they will use to help them come to a decision about our budget proposals. Final decisions about the about the budget will be made by the council in February 2026.
Our proposals
We have ideas for how to save money – this year there are 50 new budget saving proposals, and we are also proposing to increase council tax, which provides a large part of the funding we need to provide our services. We are also interested to hear any ideas you may have for saving public money.
How to take part
- There is an online feedback form, and print at home, large print and easy read versions are available. There is a BSL video giving an overview of the consultation too.
- If people need a copy of the consultation documents in a different format they can email haveyoursay@norfolk.gov.uk, call 0344 800 8020 or Text Relay on 18001 0344 800 8020 (textphone) and we will do our best to help.
- For more detail and to have your say, visit: www.norfolk.gov.uk/budget
22 October 2025: NCC Highways have written regarding the proposed 30mph limit on Potash Lane. See email extract below:
8 September 2025: A proposed 30mph speed limit on a realigned section of Potash Lane along with a Prohibition of motor vehicles restriction on the existing section of Potash Lane. These changes are part of the new roundabout off Wymondham Road and a new link road to tie in with Potash Lane to the north.
These proposals are being formally advertised from Friday 5 September 2025 and the advertisement period will last until Tuesday 30 September 2025.
A copy of the draft Orders, a plan, the Statement of Reasons for making the Orders and a
copy of the Order being consolidated can be viewed online here.
Copies are also available for inspection at Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Norwich, NR1 2DH and at the offices of South Norfolk District Council, Horizon Business Centre, Peachman Way, Norwich NR7 0WF during normal office hours.
Any objections and representations relating to the Order must be made in writing and must specify the grounds on which they are made. All correspondence for these proposals must be received at the office of nplaw, Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DH, marked for the attention of the nplaw Traffic Regulation Order Team by the 30 September 2025. They may also be emailed to trafficorders@norfolk.gov.uk
Three of the document are presented here:
Dates : 19th to 31st October 2025 (previously 14th to 18th October 2025)
We have received a notice of additional roadworks on Hethel road from Harry Troise, Legal Officer, Planning Team (nplaw) [Tel: +44 1603 223856, Email: harry.troise@norfolk.gov.uk]
We are checking what they mean as it seems to seal off parts of Hethel Road.