Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Norfolk

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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

Planning Application – Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and infrastructure with landscaping – West of Wymondham Road, Bracon Ash

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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

2025_0806-STATEMENT_OF_COMMUNITY_INVOLVEMENT-8714505Download

Norwich-Tilbury – Road closures & construction traffic

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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

Norfolk County Council want your views on where to spend (or not)

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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  

Lotus Hethel Roundabout – an update

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22 October 2025: NCC Highways have written regarding the proposed 30mph limit on Potash Lane. See email extract below:

251022 email re Potash laneDownload

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:

PR2225 Bracon Ash -Hethel- – Notice of ProposalsDownload
PR2225 Bracon Ash -Hethel- – TRO Consultation Plan -1Download
PR2225 Bracon Ash -Hethel- – Statement of Reasons -2Download

Further Roadworks Closure on Hethel Road

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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.

Wreningham STRO13591 Continuation HMDownload

Closure of Hethel Road, Wreningham

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Update 8 October 17:00

We have received a message relating to Hethel Road.

“Hethel Road will close from tomorrow morning after the school bus has gone through.

“The closure is as a result of the high number of vehicle using Hethel Road as a shortcut around the roadworks on Wymondham Road instead of using the official diversion route. This has triggered a number of concerns from Parishioners who are concerned over the safety of pedestrian, school children and other road users due to the increased traffic over the past few days. Access for residents will be from the southern end only with no access through to Wymondham Road. Traffic will not be allowed into Hethel Road from the Wymondham Road end.

“The only exception will be for emergency vehicles and also the school bus which will be let through by a gateman and therefore school children can be picked up by the bus at the usual location.”

Update 8 October 12:00

As foreseen, a rat-run was established through the village as soon as the roadworks commenced on the B1135/C186. Residents have been vocal in contacting the authorities to report the dangers presented by the volume and waywardness of drivers through the village.

The Parish Council has recently been advised by the NCC Highways project manager that a road closure will be put in place at the point where Hethel Road meets the B1135 near Hethel Engineering.

It is expected that this will be in effect from either this afternoon or tomorrow morning. This will be manned and school buses will be permitted access to and from Hethel Road. We do not know the full details of this, but will let you know when they are available

Posting of Roadworks

The works announced will be to the East of Corporation Farm on the Wymondham Road. The road is anticipated to be closed from 6th to 31st October 2025, although it potentially could continue to January 2026. Please see the documents below:

Bracon Ash and Hethel STRO13413 PTDownload
250918 Hanlon noteDownload

Rat Run in Wreningham?

Note the diversion is quite long and it is possible to anticipate a rat run occurring through the village, along Hethel Road and Church Road. Given our narrow roads, and especially along Hethel Road, this could be a difficult time for residents. The Parish Council is in contact with NCC, the project manager and the Police to establish what steps could be taken to avoid a rat run becoming established through the village.

Temporary closure of Norwich Road (B1113) on 20/21 August

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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).

Wreningham STRO13068 PTDownload

Do you know a local biodiversity hero?

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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

Community Biodiversity Awards 2025 posterDownload

Landscape Susceptibility – Consultation 9 July to 18 August

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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)