Mike Burrell, Greater Norwich Planning Policy Manager, writes:

A focused consultation on sites for Gypsies and Travellers will commence at 09.00 on Monday 30 January and will close at 17.00 on Monday 13 March 2023. 

“We are seeking views on sites put forward for consideration for providing residential pitches for Gypsies and Travellers.  It is important to note that no final decisions have been made on sites at this stage.  The consultation creates a further opportunity for landowners to propose more sites for Gypsies and Travellers.

“We are not consulting on any other sites that we asked for views on during previous GNLP consultations.

“You can find information about the sites, along with supporting information and useful FAQs, online at www.gnlp.org.uk, where you can also comment.

“The easiest and most efficient way to make comments on the consultation is to submit them online at www.gnlp.org.uk.  Alternatively, you can respond in writing using a response form which can be downloaded from www.gnlp.org.uk or requested by phone or email.  Written representations should then be emailed or sent to us by post. 

“Contact details are: Tel:  01603 306603 E:  gnlp@norfolk.gov.uk Post:  Greater Norwich Local Plan, Room 428, City Hall, St Peters St, Norwich NR2 1NH

“Please contact us if you need consultation information in a different format.

All responses must be received by 17.00 on Monday 13 March 2023.  No representations will be accepted outside of this period.


9-1-23: This has been has been rescheduled to later in the year – more news in due course.

NCC is to make a Temporary Traffic Order affecting the U76091 Ashwellthorpe Road from its junction with U78014 Mill Lane for 300m south-westwards in the WRENINGHAM to facilitate UKPN new connection works.

The road will be temporarily closed (except for access) from 9th to 13th January 2023 for the duration of the works expected to be about 5 days within the period.

The NCC document giving fuller description and diversion map is here.

Contact is Community and Environmental Services Department – streetworks@norfolk.gov.uk or telephone 0344 800 8020

quoting TRO reference STRO7634


Go For It – If you are passionate about an activity, project or interest, then use the link here. There is up to £300 waiting to help you get your idea up and running in your local community.

Homes For Ukraine Support Grant – – This community support grant aims to help fund community groups, projects or activities that provide ongoing support for Ukrainian Refugees arriving and settling in South Norfolk and Broadland. The application can be found in this link .

Help Hub – Everybody needs a bit of extra support from time to time and the Help Hub makes sure people get that help as soon as possible. The link is here.

Explanation and summary of help available around Norfolk

Contact for the above is Kate Squires, Events and Communities Coordinator  
t 01603 430591 e kate.squires@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk


The Chances Team has asked us to post the following.

Chances have worked with over a thousand Norfolk residents and have a proven track record of developing individuals in terms of their skills and their confidence making them more job-ready. This is available for our parishishioners to boost opportunities, provide a positive social impact and deliver economic benefit in our area.

Chances is partnership between Norfolk County Council, Future Projects, Norfolk Citizens Advice, Voluntary Norfolk and Citizens Advice Diss & Thetford. We are part funded through the European Social Fund with the remainder of our funding being generated within the county. Chances is delivered locally with a team of experienced Advocates working in each district of Norfolk.

Who is it for?

Chances is here to help people who are:

  • Currently unemployed or unable to go into work (because of health reasons, caring responsibilities etc)
  • Aged 18 or over (16/17 in exceptional circumstances)
  • Live in Norfolk
  • Have the legal right to live and work in the UK
  • Motivated to move forwards and make life changes

What does Chances do?

The Chances team of Advocates offer 1:1 guidance to help individuals:

  • Search and prepare for a job
  • Improve their skills – e.g. through training or education
  • Get into work if they have health issues – e.g. help you access services
  • Overcome practical issues – e.g. finding transport, route planning and childcare
  • Improve their wellbeing through sport and other activities
  • To find out more about our project, and to view our latest advertisement, see the following:

Chances Leaflet here.

Testimonials from participants here.

The Chances project page is here

To arrange or to speak to a member of the team: contact 01603 222904 or email chances@norfolk.gov.uk


There are two letters for your information, the first from the Planning Inspectorate and the second from the campaign group “Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons”

The Planning Inspectorate will close their initial consultation on 5th December for the project which proposes to install high-voltage power lines and their associated large pylons across the countryside in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. They have sent the following letter which included links to the extensive documentation submitted by the applicant:

The Parish Council is one of the statutory bodies to be consulted on this matter. We will consider the matter and respond appropriately.

In the meantime, it is open to residents to contact South Norfolk District Council and Norfolk County Council to make their views known and ask that these be included in the considerations leading to the Council(s) response to the Planning Inspectorate.

The campaign group, “Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons”, has also written to encourage public and council comment about this project. Their letter is here, and promises to provide guidance on making a representation:


For your information.

Norfolk County Council are currently in the process of setting their buget for the next financial year. Part of the deliberations/consultations include such matters as:

• A proposed total increase of 2.99% – 1.99% for general Council Tax and one per cent for the adult social care precept – in line with the current budget planning and the expected level which will be set by the Government.

• People’s view on a rise of 4.1%, as the council has set in previous years, and 10.1% – in line with inflation – which would require a referendum.

• Reducing the opening hours of the Norfolk Record Office (NRO) from 28 hours a week to 22.5 hours a week.

• Reducing weed spraying activities on the highway from twice a year to once a year.

• Reducing summer opening hours at Norfolk’s recycling centres and closing all recycling centres on Wednesdays.


Jubilee Trees for Norfolk was launched earlier this year to encourage people to “Plant a tree for the Jubilee” supporting the Queen’s Green Canopy. Norfolk County Council is now relaunching the scheme and hopes that tree planting across Norfolk can offer a long lasting tribute to a monarch so special to our county and create a legacy to honour her dedicated service of more than 70 years. The County Council has made half-price tree packs available at seven tree collection points including Norwich (County Hall and Broadland Country Park), Acle, Long Stratton, Watton, Fakenham and King’s Lynn).

Residents should apply online at www.norfolk.gov.uk/jubileetrees and the packs will be ready for collection in the planting season between December 2022-February 2023.
 
We are being encouraged to do something positive for new habitats for wildlife, help tackling the challenges of climate change and help towards the net zero carbon goals which are part of NCC’s Environmental Policy.
 
This is part of the 1 Million Trees for Norfolk project, an initiative to work in partnership with communities, landowners, agencies, businesses and individuals across the county to enable one million trees to be planted over five years. In the 2021/22 planting season, nearly 45,000 trees were planted. Find out more about the 1 Million Trees for Norfolk project and how to apply for the Jubilee Trees for Norfolk here www.norfolk.gov.uk/jubileetrees


We have received an email about Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Pre-Submission: Invitation to make representations. It is a complex subject with many associated documents. It addresses all sites in Norfolk and in our locality makes reference to the Longwater site at Silfield and Hall Farm at Wymondham. Comments can be made as indicated in the email below.

The email is to be found here:

And the list of parishes affected here:



NCC proposes to make a Temporary Traffic Order affecting the U76222 Top Row from its junction with B1113 Norwich Road for 227m south-eastwards because of Anglian Water pipe repair works.

The road will be temporarily closed (except for access) from 15th to 17th August 2022 for the duration of the works expected to be about 3 days within the period.

For NCC document with map see here