Livestock has been sold in the city market for over 700 years, with a site near Norwich Castle being used since 1738 until it moved to Hall Road. An Act of Parliament in 1984 required the city to provide a new site for a livestock market within the city. Previous attempts to change the law and relocate the market have been unsuccessful, but the Labour-run council hoped to pursue a private bill through Parliament to move the market to a new location close to the A11 or A47 to accommodate livestock producers.
A consultation conducted by the council found that 73% of respondents supported the overall plan to relocate the market outside the city, while 16% opposed it and 11% were unsure. Most respondents suggested that the new market should be about 10 miles (16km) from Norwich, with 93% of participants being from Norfolk. Half of the 349 respondents were users of the market, with an additional 32% being farmers and members of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU). NFU regional director Zoe Leach welcomed the consultation as a step towards ending the uncertainty surrounding the market’s relocation.
The private bill being pursued by the council aims to ensure that any new livestock market would match the standards of the current one, be located nearby, and close to major roads for easy access. The proposed new location would allow livestock producers to continue attending a local market while meeting the requirements set by the private bill. The council’s plan to relocate the market has received support from a majority of respondents, paving the way for further developments in the process of moving the market to a new location.
Overall, the potential relocation of the livestock market outside Norwich is seen as a positive step to modernize and improve the facilities for livestock producers. With the support of the majority of respondents and the backing of the NFU, the council’s proposal to pursue a private bill through Parliament to move the market to a new location is likely to move forward. The proposed new market location would allow for continued access for livestock producers while meeting the necessary standards and requirements outlined in the private bill, ensuring a smooth transition for all stakeholders involved.
