Projects across Greater Norwich are set to share more than £4 million in funding

Councillor Sue Holland, Leader of Broadland District Council and Chair of the GNGB said:

“This is the latest list of projects we are putting forward to benefit from our unique fund of pooled CIL receipts and is tangible evidence of the benefits that our communities receive from planned growth in the Greater Norwich area. “It’s really exciting to see so many ambitious and forward thinking projects being supported and this investment will ensure that critical infrastructure is delivered that makes real and lasting improvements to the lives of our residents. I would like to congratulate everyone for their work in getting these projects off the ground.”

The projects were chosen following a robust selection process and the amount of investment for each project is published in the Greater Norwich Five Year Investment Plan. The projects will now progress to each District Cabinet ahead of a final funding decision being made in early 2025.

The projects are:

Sweetbriar Marshes - £546,116

This project will deliver new access infrastructure at Sweet Briar Marshes, based in the northwest of Norwich along the River Wensum. The 90-acre site was purchased by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust with support from Aviva and is undergoing development to protect the wildlife and make it a destination for people to experience nature in the heart of Norwich. This project will form the third phase and aims to unlock the northern gateway of the site by increasing accessibility.

Works will include an accessible entrance to Sweet Briar Marshes; a new direct route connecting Burnet Road, Marriott's Way and the entrance to Sweet Briar Marshes; a new accessible route across Mile Cross Marsh connecting the Riverside Walk to the existing eastern entrance of Sweet Briar Marshes and to Marriott’s Way; accessible parking and a changing places toilet; and facilities to enable educational visits. In addition, a conservation workshop, storage and welfare facilities will be delivered through match funding.

Wherryman’s Way: Bramerton Improvements - £221,962

This project will deliver access improvements to a section of the Wherryman's Way 38-mile trail, which links Norwich City Centre to Great Yarmouth. Works will allow Bramerton Footpath 5, adjacent to the River Yare, to reopen, and provide a gateway to traffic-free enjoyment of the nature and culture of the Broads National Park.

Works will include nature and access-friendly riverbank restoration; footpath improvements; installation of a new bridge; ecological enhancements; and installation of new accessible interpretation boards and waymarking signs.

Broadland Country Park Café & Visitor Centre - £871,210

This project will deliver a new visitor centre at Broadland Country Park in Horsford. The 140-acre site, made up of heath, woodland, and marshy grassland, was purchased by Broadland District Council in 2020 as part of their requirement to deliver Sustainable Alternative Natural Green spaces (SANGs) to mitigate against the impacts of recreational disturbance on internationally designated Natura 2000 sites.

Works will include a new visitor centre with a café, toilets, and indoor seating areas, as well as enhanced parking facilities with EV charging, a highway crossing and an interconnecting Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Compliant footpath.

Rothbury Park - £144,449

This project will deliver a range of improvements at Rothbury Park in Wymondham. The project aims to transform the park from an underused, inaccessible, and outdated green space into a biodiverse, accessible, and valued leisure space that can be used by everyone.

Works will include 2 new paths linking the north and south entrances; accessible mounding and new play equipment; a new seating area and litter bins; cycle stands and fold-down bollards; natural and native planting; as well as volunteer training and projects.

Buckenham Ancient Woodland - £104,095.24

This project will deliver a range of improvements at Buckenham Wood in Strumpshaw, with the ambition of restoring, enhancing, and conserving the integrity of the ancient woodland. Delivering this project will open up and safeguard Buckenham Wood as a central community asset that can be enjoyed by neighbouring communities and visitors from and beyond the Greater Norwich area.

Works will include rationalising, restoring, and monitoring the footpath network; installing fencing and gates where appropriate to access and manage newly acquired land; woodland management and enhancement; and installation of cycle stands, benches and interpretation boards.

Lion Wood - £448,820.90

This project will deliver a range of improvements at Lion Wood in Thorpe Hamlet, creating an accessible green space for local residents to utilise, while increasing biodiversity and opening up the purple pedalway for greater use by walkers and cyclists.

Works will include a new hard surface path connecting Wellesley Avenue North and Wellesley Avenue South; localised surface improvements; entrance improvements to reduce access restrictions; biodiversity improvements with opportunities for natural play; installation of interpretation boards; and woodland management.

Diss Leisure and Public Realm - £1,100,000

This project will deliver a new, two-storey dry-side leisure facility and public realm improvements on the old John Grose site, south of Diss Mere. This new facility, on a site purchased by South Norfolk Council in 2023, aims to increase accessibility to leisure provision in Diss and enhance connectivity between the town centre and Park Road to help increase footfall.

The facility will include a 55-station gym, multi-use studio, and spin studio with supporting facilities, as well as a café and car parking. In addition, works will be undertaken to enhance the surrounding area to create a European-style public plaza overlooking Diss Mere.

Aylsham Library Improvements - £110,000

This project will deliver an accessible public toilet with baby changing and new staff facilities at Aylsham Library through the reconfiguration of the internal library space. The remodelling will increase the overall size of the library area by 20m² and form a more coherent layout.

Aylsham Library will provide users with updated facilities that meet UK building regulations accessibility requirements, as set out in the Equality Act. The project is strategically located in a high growth area, and therefore supports the growth ambitions of Greater Norwich.

Long Stratton Library Improvements - £55,000

This project will deliver an accessible public toilet with baby changing facilities at Long Stratton Library, through reconfiguration of the internal library space.

As a result of this project, Long Stratton Library will provide users with updated facilities that meet UK building regulations accessibility requirements, as set out in the Equality Act. The project is strategically located in a high growth area, and therefore supports the growth ambitions of Greater Norwich.

Diss Library Improvements - £100,000

This project will deliver an accessible public toilet with baby changing facilities at Diss Library, through a small extension and reconfiguration of the internal library space.

Diss Library will provide users with updated facilities that meet UK building regulations accessibility requirements, as set out in the Equality Act. The project is strategically located in a high growth area, and therefore supports the growth ambitions of Greater Norwich.

Hethersett Library Improvements - £121,000

This project will deliver an extension at Hethersett Library, which in addition to reconfiguration works will result in a new accessible entrance and meeting room that can be used by local organisations and community groups.

As a result, Hethersett Library will be more accessible and appealing, improving user experience and increasing the value of the community asset. The project is strategically located in a high growth area, and therefore supports the growth ambitions of Greater Norwich.

Area Library Improvements - Earlham, St Williams Way, Sprowston - £90,000

This project will deliver accessible public toilets with baby changing facilities at Sprowston, Earlham, and St Williams Way Libraries, through internal remodelling of the existing buildings.

The three libraries will provide users with updated facilities that meet UK building regulations accessibility requirements, as set out in the Equality Act. These sites are strategically located in high growth areas, and therefore support the growth ambitions of Greater Norwich.

Wymondham Baptist Community Space - £250,000

This project will deliver a 128-square-metre extension to Wymondham Baptist Church which will serve as a key community facility in the growing market town. The extension will be built to an eco-efficient design and create a spacious reception and open plan area that meets accessibility standards.

The extension will create a community space which is accessible to all, providing a much needed base for a range of community services to operate from. This will allow an expansion of the services currently offered from the site, which include a community café, foodbank, a number of support groups and advice from partners such as Citizens Advice and Shelter. In addition, new groups and charities will be able to base their services and support from the building; thereby improving the overall offer to the community.