Launch of the Greater Norwich Local Plan Scoping Consultation

The new plan has been prompted by national planning reform and the government’s new method for calculating housing need, resulting in higher housing targets. In addition, the government has introduced a new system, which changes the way local plans are prepared.

Starting the new GNLP now will help local councils retain control over where growth happens in the longer term, ensuring new homes are accompanied by the necessary infrastructure, environmental protections, and community benefits.

As part of the early preparation stage of the new GNLP, the Greater Norwich authorities are opening a Scoping Consultation. Following government guidance, this is primarily intended for stakeholders to respond to, but comments from anyone with an interest in the GNLP area are welcome. The Scoping Consultation will run from 17th August – 28th September 2026.

The launch of the consultation marks the first formal stage in preparing the new Greater Norwich Local Plan. It is an opportunity for residents, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders to tell us what matters most to them for the future of Greater Norwich. To inform these conversations, the Scoping Consultation includes questions on baseline data gathered to help the preparation of the Plan, the emerging Vision and Objectives which will help to shape the content of the Plan and a proposed Engagement Strategy that suggests an approach to future engagement through the plan-making process.

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

"The need for a new local plan is driven by the requirement to maintain a robust five-year housing land supply. Given the government’s policy to apply a 20% buffer to local housing numbers, an up to date plan will be critical in our ability to defend against unsustainable, speculative housing applications.

An up-to-date local plan doesn't just meet the government’s inflated targets; it also places the tools for growth directly in the hands of our local communities, ensuring we build homes where they make sense, supported by the roads, employment areas, and green spaces people need."

Earlier this year, the Greater Norwich authorities hosted a Call for Sites for people to submit sites to be considered for allocation in the GNLP 2045. These submissions are currently being reviewed and therefore do not form part of this consultation. Basic details of all the sites received can be found alongside the Scoping Consultation material and there will be an opportunity to comment on these at a later stage.

The Greater Norwich authorities are taking a digital-first approach for all stages of the of the GNLP 2045 preparation, including the Scoping Consultation which will be hosted on our online consultation platform. This is to speed up the plan-making process, in line with government requirements, and allow the Greater Norwich authorities to assess submissions more effectively.

If you need help submitting your comments in response to the Scoping Consultation, or if you experience any issues with the online platform, please contact the Greater Norwich Local Plan team. You can email on gnlp@norfolk.gov.uk or call 01603 306603 and the team will be happy to help.

For more information please visit the GNLP 2045 page on our new website.