Forest Heath Local Plan background evidence

Paragraph 158 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that, 'Each local planning authority should ensure that the Local Plan is based on adequate, up-to-date and relevant evidence about the economic, social and environmental characteristics and prospects of the area'.

We have used a number of documents/methods based on research and evidence to help inform and develop the Forest Heath Core Strategy Single Issue Review (SIR) and the Site Allocations Local Plan (SALP) Proposed Submission documents.

This report sets out the key evidence that has been used, with a short summary of the purpose and description of content. The evidence base documents referred to in this report can be read in full below.

If you have any queries or questions about this report or the council's evidence base, please email planning.policy@westsuffolk.gov.uk

Page updated March 2017

Document Date published Purpose Information
Update on Objectively Assessed Need (OAN) in the Cambridge Sub-Region Housing Market Area February 2017 A statement by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Strategic Planning Unit to provide an update on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Memorandum of Understanding (MoC), May 2013 This statement advises while some authorities in the HMA have updated their OAN for reasons set out in this paper, there is no suggestion that they will not be able to accommodate fully their own identified housing need. Moreover, Peterborough City Council maintain its commitment to accommodate 2,500 homes from the Cambridge Sub-Region HMA. Consequently the original purpose of the MoC remains intact.
Forest Heath Single Issue Review of CS7 and Site Allocations Local Plan- Air Quality Assessment regarding Breckland Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Breckland Special Protection Area (SPA) February 2017 The air quality impact assessment was undertaken to assess the air quality effects that would occur as a result of the predicted change in vehicle flows on roads within 200m of Breckland SAC and SPA, and Rex Graham SAC as a result of the growth proposed in the SIR and SALP. This report was commissioned to inform the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for the SIR and the SALP. The HRA of the Proposed Submission versions of the document was not able to rule out likely significant effects on the basis of the information available. The study modelled changes in vehicle flows on roads within 200m of sensitive sites, predicted nitrogen deposition and annual mean NOx and assessed whether these levels would be likely to affect the adjacent habitats. The report concludes that no adverse effect on Breckland SAC, SPA and Rex Graham Reserve SAC is expected.
A note for clarification by Cambridgeshire County Council Research Group to support Forest Heath District Council in objectively assessing and evidencing development needs for housing January 2017 To provide clarification on how housing shortfall prior to 2011 has been addressed in the OAN. The note provides full explanation that any housing shortfall between 2001 and 2011 is accounted for in the objectively assessed housing need for 2011 to 2031.

January 2017

General documents and evidence

Document Date published Purpose Information
Geographical Information System(GIS)   A computer system designed to capture, analyse, manage, and present all types of spatial or geographical data. The council has a geographical information system (GIS) which is a computer system designed to capture, analyse, manage, and present all types of spatial or geographical data. This allows us to accurately determine land opportunities and constraints, for example flood risk zones and other environmental constraints.

The GIS system is a live data source and is regularly updated when and should new information become available.

 

Omissions sites Nov 2016 November 2016 To set out a reasoned justification of why certain sites are not considered to be available, suitable, deliverable or viable and should therefore be discounted from further consideration in the Local Plan.
Forest Heath District Council is planning for long term growth to meet demand for housing and related employment. It is important that the District Council allocates suitable, available and achievable sites in order to ensure that growth requirements are met within the Plan period.

The SALP allocates specific sites for development, however a large number of additional sites were identified and considered throughout the plan making process and not deemed appropriate to allocate in the Plan. This Omission Sites Document documents all of these ‘non-allocated’ sites and outlines the reasons for their rejection in each instance.
Forest Heath District Council Local Plan Monitoring Report for 2013/14 and 2014/15 April 2016 The District Council is responsible for preparing and delivering the Local Plan policies for the district, based on the objectives, of supporting required growth and development whilst protecting the environment and creating attractive places to live. AMRs are produced to show the extent to which planning objectives are achieved. This report has been adapted since previous AMRs to reflect the adoption of Forest Heath District Council’s Core Strategy in May 2010. The Joint Development Management Policies Document (JDMPD) was adopted by both authorities, Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury, in February 2015. In showing the extent to which existing planning objectives are achieved, the report provides evidence to support the development of new policy approaches in the Plan area.

Local plan supporting documents

Document Date published Purpose Information
Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of the Single Issue Review January 2017 To appraise the sustainability of plan proposals to help assess how the plan will contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. Sustainability Appraisals (SA) are mandatory for Local Plans. An interim Sustainability Appraisal Report was published alongside the 2015 SIR consultation document which provided information on the merits of the alternatives that were under consideration. Revised SAs were then produced to support the Regulation 18 consultations on both the 2016 Core Strategy SIR Preferred Option and the SALP Preferred Options.

The SAs have been further updated for both the Regulation 19 Pre-Submission stages of the 2017 SIR and the SALP and these represent the final and definitive SA Reports required for the Local Plan.
Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of the Site Allocations Local Plan January 2017
SA of the SALP Erratum January 2017
Sustainability Appraisal Non-technical Summary of the Single Issue Review and Site Allocations Local Plan January 2017
Habitats Regulations (Screening) Assessment (HRA) of the Single Issue Review January 2017 An assessment undertaken to consider and appraise the likely impact of a plan or project upon designated sites of European nature conservation importance. The Habitats Regulations (SI No. 2010/490) require an ‘appropriate assessment’ of land use plans that are likely to have a significant effect on a ‘European site’. The options in both the 2015 and 2016 Regulation 18 consultation documents were subject to HRA screening to determine whether they are likely to have a significant effect on any European site and hence whether ‘appropriate assessment’ will be required as part of the plan-making process, if those options were taken forward.

This process has been updated in light of any changes to the Local Plan approach post-consultation and to inform the plan-making process ahead of the consultation of the Regulation 19 Pre-Submission stages of the 2017 SIR and the SALP. The HRAs at this stage represent the final and definitive versions required for the Local Plan.
Habitats Regulations (Screening) Assessment (HRA) of the Site Allocations Local Plan January 2017
Submission draft Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) 2016 Sets out a framework to support the planned delivery of infrastructure required to deliver the spatial policies in the Core Strategy and Site Allocations Local Plan. The SIR and SALP are planning for long term growth so that there is certainty in how and where our settlements grow. This will ensure that service providers can plan and deliver the necessary infrastructure to enable the planned growth to happen when it is required. The IDP sets out a framework which will support the planned delivery of infrastructure that is required to deliver the spatial policies contained within the Forest Heath Core Strategy Local Plan adopted in May 2010.

Consultation on the document brought further infrastructure requirements to the council's attention and these are included in the revised IDP which is subject to the same 2017 consultation period as the submission draft SIR and SALP documents.

Housing based documents

Document Date published Purpose Information
Settlement Boundary Reviews January 2017 Forest Heath District Council is planning for long term growth to meet demand for housing and related employment so that there is certainty in how and where our settlements will grow. It is important that the District’s settlement boundaries and any new allocations for growth relate to sustainable locations both in principle and practice. This Settlement Boundary Review informs, and is a key evidence base document supporting, the District Council’s SALP. Local Plans must allocate sites to promote development and the flexible use of land. They should also identify land where development would be inappropriate, for instance because of its environmental or historic significance, and contain a clear strategy for enhancing the natural, built and historic environment. Settlement boundaries are a planning tool; lines on a map that define the main built form of settlements. These lines are based on recognisable boundaries, within such the principle of new built development is accepted, subject to proposals’ adherence of other Local Plan policies. Outside settlement boundaries, within the countryside, this principle is not maintained, and development proposals are considerably more constrained.
Forest Heath Five Year Housing Land Supply December 2016 National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012) requires Local Planning Authorities to identify and maintain a 5 year land supply of deliverable land for housing. For land to be considered deliverable, sites should be available now, offer a suitable location for development now, and be achievable within a realistic prospect that housing will be delivered on the site within five years, and in particular that development of the site is viable. This report sets out the availability of housing land supply for the period 2017-2022. It takes a baseline of 31 March 2016 and estimates completions from existing commitments for 2016-17, establishing a ‘year forward’ 5 year supply for the period 2017-2022. Sites with planning permission are considered deliverable until permission expires, unless there is clear evidence that schemes will not be implemented within five years. The assessment of land supply will be updated annually, although if any significant land supply changes occur at any time, further updates may be prepared and made available on the website.
Cambridgeshire (excluding Fenland), Kings Lynn & West Norfolk, Peterborough and West Suffolk Gypsy and Traveller Accomodation Assessment (GTAA) October 2016 The primary objective of the 2016 Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) is to provide a robust assessment of current and future need for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation. The Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) 2016 provides a robust assessment of current and future need for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people accommodation in Cambridgeshire (excluding Fenland), West Suffolk (Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury), Peterborough and King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. It updates previous GTAAs and reflects the revised version of Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS) in August 2015 which included a change to the definition of Travellers for planning purposes.
Objectively Assessed Housing Need (update) update August 2016 Cambridgeshire County Council Research Group produced a report to support Forest Heath District Council in objectively assessing and evidencing development needs for housing, both market and affordable. The Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) was prepared in 2011 and updated in 2013 for the Cambridge Housing Market Area (HMA), including Forest Heath. It indicated an objectively assessed need (OAN) for 350 dwellings per annum for Forest Heath in the period 2011 to 2031, or 7,000 homes in total. This figure was used to inform the two options for the overall housing provision at the 2nd Issues and Options stage of the SIR, which was consulted upon in the summer of 2015

A number of changes in national and local circumstances have prompted the need for the OAN to be updated in Forest Heath, notably the following:

a. Changes in national planning policy and guidance
b. The release of new CLG household projections and EEFM forecasts in early 2015
c. A number of other authorities within the Cambridge Housing Market Area have been required to update their OAN, and there is a need for a consistent approach

d. Local circumstances including the planned closure of the RAF airbase at Mildenhall

e. The need to update the OAN for Forest Heath to ensure a robust evidence base to inform the Local Plan process, particularly that the SIR will set an appropriate housing provision target, which also requires an update on the jobs assessment in line with housing need, and an update on the affordable housing need assessment.

The January 2016 report identified an overall housing need of 6,800 dwellings (340 dwellings per annum) in the period 2011 to 2031. An update was published in August 2016 on the Cambridgeshire Research Group’s website, known as Cambridgeshire Insight. This report prepared by Cambridgeshire Research Group and endorsed by Peter Brett Associates provides an update on the OAN for Forest Heath following the release of new household projections and economic forecasts since January 2016. It reiterates the OAN at 6,800 dwellings (340 dwellings per annum) in the period 2011 to 2031 remain appropriate.
Objectively Assessed Housing Need January 2016
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) April 2016 The West Suffolk SHLAA seeks to identify suitable sites for residential development across the study area, (Forest Heath District and St Edmundsbury Borough) and within the Local Plan period to 2031. The results of the SHLAA have informed Local Plan preparation and monitoring across both authorities. A Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment should:
  • Identify sites and broad locations with the potential for development;
  • Assess their development potential; and
  • Assess their suitability for development and the likelihood of development coming forward, (the availability and achievability).
The SHLAA has informed the SIR and SALP documents at all stages (Issues and Options, Preferred Options and Pre-Submission) by establishing a preliminary list of available sites to meet objectively assessed housing needs.
Market Signals and Objectively Assessed Housing Need February 2016 On behalf of the council, Peter Brett Associates (PBA) produced a report that considered the impact of market signals on both the objectively assessed housing need, and whether uplift is justified in setting a housing provision target to meet more of the affordable housing need. The process of assessing needs and setting a housing provision target is clearly set out in the PBA report. The PBA assessment concluded that an uplift of 5% is an appropriate adjustment, giving rise to an overall OAN of 6,800 dwellings over the Plan period to 2031.

Environmental based documents

Document Date published Purpose Information
Landscape and Heritage Study January 2017 To consider the possible impacts of the potential development sites on landscape character and heritage assets and to ensure that the Local Plan takes full account of these constraints to inform the number of new houses and the proposed distribution. The study identifies the main landscape and heritage constraints in each of the market towns, key service centres and primary villages. This included all designated and non-designated sites of heritage, archaeological, landscape or ecological importance; considered the characteristic features of the landscape character types surrounding each settlement and any relevant guidance[1]; and identified any additional features considered to be of local cultural importance. These features were mapped at a settlement level to inform where growth might be constrained.

Each of the SHLAA sites was assessed in light of the identified constraints.  Opportunities were identified and recommendations were made on a site by site basis.

The findings of this draft report (April 2016) informed the SALP Policy wording to secure green infrastructure requirements (April 2016).
[1] Suffolk Landscape Character Assessment
Accessible natural greenspace study January 2017 To provide evidence on appropriate accessible natural green space that will support the planned growth in the district, in light of concern about the sensitivity of Breckland Special Protection Area (SPA) and Breckland Special Area of Conservation (SAC) to recreational pressure. This study explores whether and where increased development in the district has the potential to contribute to recreational pressure on the Breckland Special Protection Area (SPA) and Breckland Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The study reviewed the evidence to support the provision of suitable alternative natural green space (SANGS) in the district including Visitor Survey Results from Breckland SPA[2]. The study provides a strategic level audit of accessible greenspace and access provision within the main settlements. The sensitivities and constraints in respect to this resource are identified along with the opportunities for new green space and access routes that could, if delivered, support the growth agenda. The findings of this draft report (April 2016) informed the SALP Policy wording to secure green infrastructure requirements (April 2016).
[2] Fearnley, H, Liley, D and Cruickshanks, K(2010). Visitor survey from results Breckland SPA. Footprint Ecology.
Forest Heath Water Cycle Study Hatchfield Farm Impact Addendum December 2016 This Stage 3 Water Cycle Study (WCS) provides an update and builds on the conclusions and recommendations from both the 2009 Outline Water Cycle Study and 2011 Detailed Water Cycle Study. To incorporate the preferred changes to the SIR, SALP and the IDP in response to consultee comments and updated forecasts and policies for current development options, FHDC commissioned Arcadis Consulting to undertake an update to the Stage 2 WCS. This update considers the allocated sites within the SALP and associated growth projections to inform an assessment on the water environment and infrastructure impacts within the District.

Consultation has been undertaken with Anglian Water (AW) and the Environment Agency (EA) as well as other relevant parties in order to provide an indication of the most up to date requirements for the water cycle and infrastructure impacts. These requirements have been reviewed on a site by site basis in reference to the allocations identified in the SALP, detailing any issues and constraints for each.
Forest Heath Water Cycle Study update November 2016
Review of Core Strategy CS2 nesting attempts buffer July 2016 To review the Stone Curlew ‘nest attempts’ buffer based on the most recent data including up to 2015 nest records. This buffer can be used to protect Stone Curlew that breed outside the SPA but are considered to be part of the SPA population. Core Strategy Policy CS2, Natural Environment, requires that:
‘New built development will be restricted within 1,500m of components of the Breckland SPA designated for Stone Curlew. Proposals for development in these areas will require a project level Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA). Development which is likely to lead to an adverse effect on the integrity of the SPA will not be allowed.

New development will also be restricted within 1,500m of any 1km grid squares which has supported 5 or more nesting attempts by stone curlew since 1995. Proposals for development within these areas will require a project level HRA. Development which is likely to lead to an adverse effect on the integrity of the SPA will not be allowed.’
Subsequent to the publication of the Core Strategy, a study ‘Further assessments of the relationship between buildings and Stone Curlew distribution[3]’ concluded that there continues to be strong support for the continuation of a 1,500m zone around areas capable of supporting Stone Curlew populations, on the basis that additional development in this zone would have a likely significant effect (LSE) on Breckland SPA.

The previous ‘nest attempts’ buffer was based on bird nesting data up to 2006, and so is evidently out of date. A review of the ‘nest attempts’ buffer based on the most recent data, including up to 2015 nest records, was therefore commissioned and the results of this review have been updated and factored into the site selection process and are shown on the Policies Map which accompanies the Submission consultation documents.
[3] Clarke & Liley, 2013 Further assessments of the relationship between buildings and Stone Curlew distribution
Deliverability of SIR Housing Numbers in relation to the Natura 2000 Constraint Buffers April 2016 To assess whether the proposed overall housing numbers and broad distribution across settlements are deliverable in light of land availability and impacts on the Natura 2000 sites within Forest Heath District (Breckland Special Protection Area and Breckland Special Area of Conservation). In order to ensure the deliverability of the SIR an analysis has been carried out to assess whether the proposed overall housing numbers and broad distribution across settlements are deliverable in light of land availability and impacts on the Natura 2000 sites within Forest Heath District. The Natura 2000 sites of concern are Breckland SPA and Breckland SAC.

To assess the deliverability of the SIR, sites included in the SALP ‘Further Issues and Options Consultation Document August 2015’ were screened against Natura 2000 site buffers identified in the FHDC Core Strategy and supporting Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA). This has strongly influenced site selection within the Pre-Submission SALP.


The analysis of housing numbers that could potentially be delivered in each of the five settlements affected indicates how deliverable the distribution in the SIR would be and the contribution that these settlements could reasonably make to the overall housing numbers in the district. An interim report was initially undertaken in April 2016 and this document has been subject to review and finalised following the publication of the 2016 SHLAA.
Preferred Options SALP Policy wording to secure green infrastructure requirements April 2016 This document summarises the constraints identified and advises on any additional policy wording required within the site allocation policies to ensure that the environmental features or constraints are protected. This document is an assessment of the green infrastructure constraints of the allocated sites in light of the other environmental studies which have been undertaken. The findings of the Accessible Natural Green Space Study, the Landscape and Historic Environment Study and the Wildlife Audits have been used to inform this assessment. The assessment summarises the constraints identified and advises on policy wording required within the site allocation policies to ensure that the environmental features or constraints are protected.
Wildlife audits (2015) 2015 To understand the relative biodiversity value of sites so that those with least value can be prioritised for development and whether sites play an important role in biodiversity networks for example, as stepping stones. The wildlife audits comprised of a phase 1 extended habitat survey of all the SHLAA sites within Forest Heath District in those settlements proposed for growth; namely Brandon, Mildenhall, Newmarket, Lakenheath, Red Lodge, Beck Row, Exning, Kentford and West Row. Each site was surveyed between March and October 2015 and the wildlife interest features mapped and described. Protected species evidence or potential was also recorded, and any existing data or survey was compiled. All sites were ranked using an existing system of ranking developed for use in Suffolk by the Local Wildlife Trust. The wildlife audit included advice on whether, for any potential development site, the value is sufficient to warrant the site being discounted or the imposition of mitigation or compensation measures through policy. Please note sensitive information has been removed from the documents available on the website.

The findings of this report informed the SALP Policy wording to secure green infrastructure requirements (2016).

Economic, employment, transport and horse racing documents

Document Date published Purpose Information
West Suffolk Retail and Leisure Study 2016: Forest Heath November 2016 The study provides evidence regarding the market share analysis for convenience and comparison goods retailing across the Study Area, high-level updates of the health checks for the district’s centres taking into account shopper perceptions identified for the district’s towns. The study includes the key outputs of a retail capacity assessment for comparison and convenience goods retailing, the findings of the commercial leisure and other town centre uses ‘gap’ assessment and high level advice on where new retail and leisure uses could physically be accommodated in the District in accordance with the main aims of national and local plan policy. Carter Jonas (CJ) was commissioned to prepare the 'West Suffolk Retail and Leisure Study 2016'” to help inform both plan-making and development management across both the local authority areas of Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury. The study provides a qualitative and quantitative assessment of future retail and main town centre use needs for the district. The findings of the assessments, including those of a site assessment carried out of key town centre sites to identify where new retail development and main town centre uses could be located, provide a robust evidence base required to inform the preparation of the Local Plan supplementary planning documents including town centre master plans.
Forest Heath Employment Land Review October 2016 The study provides the council with an understanding of the current economic situation and the future needs of businesses and the local economy, and the requirements for employment land. It assesses the economic development needs of the District objectively in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance (PPG). The council commissioned Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners (‘NLP’) to undertake an Employment Land Review (ELR) to provide a long term assessment of the need for business space and employment land within the District over a 20 year study period to 2031.
The ELR provides an up-to-date evidence base relating to current and future requirements for B class employment space in Forest Heath over the SIR and SALP Plan period. The assessment is based on a range of scenarios for how the economy could change in the future and represents a key document in the identification of employment site allocations within the Local Plan.
Forest Heath Economic Viability Assessment October 2016 The Economic Viability Assessment tests the viability of the policies and proposals in the emerging SIR and SALP to ensure they are deliverable. This study tests the sites and scale of development proposed in the emerging local plan documents against the range of costs on development including national and local standards, policies and likely costs of Section 106 and 278 agreements to ensure viability. Requirements such as affordable housing, infrastructure contributions, local public open space and other standards are taken into account to make sure that the normal costs for development mitigation allow competitive returns to landowners and developers and do not make development undeliverable. The assessment looks at the viability of development across the district using a series of notional 1 hectare sites and case studies ranging from 11 – 1,000 dwellings broadly based upon site types identified in the SALP.
Forest Heath Site Allocations Cumulative Traffic Impact Study - Addendum October 2016 To re-assess relevant junctions following refusal of permission for 400 homes on a site at Newmarket and the consequential adjustments made to other sites. Following the Secretary of State’s decision to refuse permission for development at Hatchfield Farm, Newmarket, an additional piece of work was commissioned to assess the impact of the loss of this site and the consequential adjustments to accommodate some of this growth. The results of these re-assessments do not change the recommendations and mitigation schemes for the relevant junctions.
Forest Heath Site Allocations Cumulative Traffic Impact Study August 2016 A study of the cumulative traffic impacts of the developments identified for allocation in the Site Allocations Local Plan (SALP) document. This focused on sites located in a number of towns and villages across the district, namely Brandon, Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Red Lodge and Newmarket. AECOM was commissioned to undertake the study, which sets out an accessibility appraisal for proposed development sites in the above settlements, the scope of the highway network assessment and a review of the accident data obtained for the study area for the last five years. The study discusses how traffic has been generated for each development site, including multimodal trip generation. It also sets out how traffic identified for each development site can be distributed, the percentage impact and capacity assessments for the existing junction layouts.

Lastly, the study identifies potential mitigation measures required, and the results of the junction capacity assessments for mitigation schemes.
Forest Heath Transport Technical Note Update May 2016 This technical note was commissioned at an early stage in the plan making process to identify the potential transport impacts of the emerging proposals for the broad locations of housing provision as part of the development of the Forest Heath Local Plan. This technical note provided an update of the 2009 Transport Technical Note and forms part of the council's evidence base to support the Local Plan. The note does not include solutions to the impacts, but provided a starting point for both identifying issues surrounding site selection and the identification of such solutions within the ‘Forest Heath District Council Site Allocations Plan Cumulative Traffic Impact Study (and Addendum)’ (below) as undertaken by AECOM.
Local, national and international impact of the Horseracing Industry in Newmarket (Deloitte) September 2015 To examine the local economic footprint, national importance to British Racing and international standing of the Newmarket Horseracing Industry. Vision 2 of the 2010 Core Strategy maintains that Newmarket’s position as the international home of horse racing will be preserved and enhanced and Spatial Objective ECO5 seeks to utilise Newmarket’s “international reputation as the headquarters of horse racing to develop the town further as a tourism, leisure and cultural focus for Forest Heath, whilst still protecting its unique character.”

The Deloitte report, along with the SQW report create an opportunity to inform and shape future policies relating to the further protection of the industry, enhancements, promotion and investment by the public and private sector.
Economic Impact of the Horse Racing Industry in Newmarket (SQW) January 2014 To provide an up to date understanding of the scale and economic significance of the horse racing industry in the Newmarket area to assist with the development of local planning and economic development policies. Vision 2 of the 2010 Core Strategy maintains that Newmarket’s position as the international home of horse racing will be preserved and enhanced and Spatial Objective ECO5 seeks to utilise Newmarket’s “international reputation as the headquarters of horse racing to develop the town further as a tourism, leisure and cultural focus for Forest Heath, whilst still protecting its unique character.”

This report, along with the Deloitte report (below) create an opportunity to inform and shape future policies relating to the further protection of the industry, enhancements, promotion and investment by the public and private sector.
A11 Growth Corridor - Feasibility Study: Delivering the Economic Growth   The report looks at how to secure economic growth and make the A11 Corridor a recognised location for investment activity in order to support and add value to the wider sub‐regional offer. The A11 Growth Corridor project will draw together the three districts of South Norfolk, Breckland, and Forest Heath, in order to develop a major new initiative that will establish a location for new economic investment activity with a focus on developing new technology‐related employment, capitalising on the significant improvements in accessibility arising from the £120 million investment in the dualling of the A11 and other important existing assets.

This study was not specifically commissioned to inform the SALP, but has helped provide a steer for the employment section by identifying growth potential along the A11 corridor.
Potential of the A11 Corridor - executive summary