Greater Norwich launches two consultations to support sustainable and nature-friendly development

These documents will help to ensure new development schemes are resilient, inclusive and environmentally responsible.

Supplementary Planning Documents provide detailed advice and guidance on how the policies of the Greater Norwich Local Plan (GNLP) will be applied consistently in planning decisions.

Driving Low-Carbon, Inclusive Design

The first document, the Sustainable Communities SPD, aims to guarantee that new developments are designed to be high-quality and actively contribute to resilient, inclusive and low-carbon communities. This policy requires major planning applications to address ten critical issues. These include:

• Climate Change: Promoting low-carbon design and energy efficiency.

• Environmental Protection: Focusing on water quality, flood risk, and water efficiency.

• Community: Ensuring high-quality design, appropriate densities, and safe, inclusive communities.

Crucially, major and complex schemes will now be required to submit a detailed Sustainability Statement to demonstrate how they comply with these new requirements.

The SPD serves as a helpful resource for developers, referencing existing guidance to streamline the application process.

Green Spaces in the Right Places

The other document, the Implementation of the Greater Norwich Green Infrastructure (GI) SPD, updates and formalises the region’s strategy for green and blue spaces. The Strategy was endorsed in March 2025 by the GNGB and was driven by national changes such as the Environment Act 2021.

The SPD establishes a flexible framework to guide and prioritise the delivery of high-quality green and blue infrastructure to support new development through planning applications. By adopting the strategy as an SPD, it becomes a key evidence base for planning decisions, supporting the creation of:

• Nature-Rich Places: Aligning with the emerging Norfolk Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

• Climate Resilient Places: Ensuring landscapes can adapt to future environmental challenges.

• Healthier Communities: Promoting publicly accessible open spaces with assured long-term stewardship. The GI Strategy features seven area profiles that identify specific priorities and opportunities for green infrastructure across the region, from the Norwich Urban Area to the Broads and surrounding agricultural land.

Councillor Daniel Elmer, Chair of the GNDP and Leader of South Norfolk Council said:

The GNDP is a unique partnership that works to drive economic growth, deliver infrastructure improvements, and enable housing delivery across the Greater Norwich area in a coordinated and sustainable way. We are committed to delivering not just more, much needed homes, but better spaces that actively support sustainability, biodiversity, and the health and well-being of our residents. These two documents represent a significant step forward on how we plan for our future."

The two public consultations are now open. Full details on both the Sustainable Communities SPD and the Implementation of the Greater Norwich Green Infrastructure SPD, including how to submit comments, can be found by visiting: https://new.norwich.gov.uk/communications/consultations-and-engagement