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)

Your say on Local Government Reorganisation

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LGR Survey – A4 PosterDownload

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

NALF looking for volunteer members

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The Norfolk Local Access Forum (NALF) is recruiting new members—and they’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in joining! They say it’s a fantastic opportunity to help shape the future of countryside access in Norfolk and have asked us to share this opportunity with our community to help them reach as many potential applicants as possible from across the county.

The Forum is made up of up to 22 passionate volunteers representing a wide range of user groups – walking, cycling, horse riding, land management, conservation, tourism, health, education. Members may also have special interests, such as advocating for minority access, or supporting young families in getting outdoors. Members do not have to be specialists or employed in work relating to public access, but should be passionate and engaged.

NALF members provide independent advice to organisations like Norfolk County Council, working to improve access to Norfolk’s beautiful landscapes for everyone.

If you or someone you know is enthusiastic about the outdoors and eager to make a difference, they’d love to hear from you!

👉 Find out more and apply here: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/nlaf and Get Involved!

Any questions? Feel free to email nlaf@norfolk.gov.uk 

🗓️ Deadline for applications: 14th July 2025

From Hannah Woodruff, Norfolk Local Access Forum Officer. Tel. 01603 224067

Recycling Centre – You must book a slot to visit

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From 18 November


Everyone will have to book a slot in order to visit a Norfolk recycling centre.  For more information phone: 0344 800 8020 or visit: www.norfolk.gov.uk/recyclingbooking  
Reasons for the change:

  • Reduce congestion
  • Reduce waiting times
  • Reduce the risk of traders disposing of waste without paying
  • Save the council money by spreading customer visits across our opening hours

ROAD CLOSURE – B1113 30/9 TO 3/10

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Update 1 October: we have been advised that this closure is to be extended until 3 October from between 7pm to 5am the following morning.

A temporary road closure is sceduled for re-surfacing work on the B1113 affecting the Norwich Road from its junction with C186 Wymondham Road in the Parish of Bracon Ash and Hethel. The works will be carried out between 19:00 on 30th September and 05:00 on 1st October 2024.

PMB920-HD-0100-002 Diversion PlanDownload

Traffic Regulation Order Team, nplaw, Chief Executive’s Office, South Wing, Ground Floor, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2DH

Email: tro@norfolk.gov.uk

Planning Application – Land at Hall Farm, Stanfield Road, Wymondham

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Ref: FUL/2024/0026
Land at Hall Farm, Stanfield Road, Wymondham, Norfolk

Hybrid application for part Full Planning Permission for an Aggregate Recovery Facility and part approval pursuant to s.73 of the TCPA 1990 (as amended) for non-compliance with condition 2 (timescales) and condition 3 (approved documents) of permission reference C/7/2013/7014 to extend the operational life of the quarry and associated restoration to agriculture and amend the phasing of restoration, Longwater Gravel Co Ltd.

You will find full submission documentation of the above planning application on our web
page: https://eplanning.norfolk.gov.uk/Planning/Display/FUL/2024/0026#

If you have any observations you wish to make, would you please let me know within 21 days excluding public holidays from the date of this consultation (11 September 2024). You can do this by either submitting via the web link above, by emailing MaWP@norfolk.gov.uk or by telephoning the case officer 01603 222757.
If further time is required for your consideration of this matter please do not hesitate to contact the case officer Michael Zieja.