What you've told us

Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback so far during the Issues and Options and Development Strategy phases of consultation. 

Thousands of people have shared comments as part of the consultation and all of this feedback will help to inform the development of the draft new Local Plan (Preferred Options). Find out more about the timeline for the development of the Local Plan. 

Feedback shared so far shows:

• 74% of respondents think future development should be concentrated in market towns due to a better range of services, employment opportunities or transport options. 

• 70% think that future development should be concentrated on main transport routes like A47 or A11. 

• 54% do not think housing should be dispersed within rural areas and a range of views were expressed. Some people told us ’everywhere should have a fair share’, others suggested exploring the potential of cities and market towns, others recognised the benefits of small scale development to rural communities and the importance of a supply of housing to enable ‘local people to stay local’. 

• 97% were against the concept of a new settlement – a Garden Town or Garden Village. Strong views have been expressed against the creation of a ‘garden village’ at North Elmham. A key consideration for such a proposal is the provision of community infrastructure – good access to public transport, roads as well as health services and education which is vital for large-scale housing developments.

• Just over half – 53% of respondents – were supportive of the settlement boundaries with some suggesting a criteria-based policy approach might allow more flexibility.

The Council would like to continue a transparent and open discussion on how to accommodate future growth to help establish a vision for Breckland that can be supported by local people. Join an upcoming consultation event to find out more and have your say.

Find out more

Subscribe to email updates on Commonplace to stay up to date with the date of the next consultation phase - Preferred Options, due to start in Spring 2024.