A Fresh Vision for Greater Norwich’s Growth: The GNLP Review
The Greater Norwich region is embarking on an important journey to refresh its local planning framework. This review comes at a critical time as national planning reforms and new governmental methods for calculating housing needs have resulted in higher housing targets across the country. The Greater Norwich Development Partnership (GNDP) is taking proactive steps to stay ahead of these changes, beginning with a comprehensive review of the Greater Norwich Local Plan (GNLP) before the June 2026 deadline. This forward-thinking approach will help the councils maintain local control over growth patterns, ensuring that new developments come with necessary infrastructure, strong environmental protections, and meaningful community benefits. Rather than simply reacting to government mandates, the local authorities are seizing an opportunity to shape their own future.
A key focus of the review will be identifying potential locations for new strategic settlements. By taking a thoughtful, long-term approach to planning entire new communities, the GNDP hopes to reduce development pressure on existing villages and towns. This strategy recognizes that sometimes creating purpose-built settlements can be more sustainable than continually expanding current communities beyond their natural boundaries. As an initial step in this process, the Greater Norwich authorities have opened a “Call for Sites” running from February 9 to March 23, 2026. During this period, landowners, developers, and other interested parties can submit potential sites they believe suitable for housing, employment, or other uses. This is an evidence-gathering phase rather than a formal consultation, with the possibility that the call for sites may reopen later in the year to ensure comprehensive coverage of all options.
Once submissions are received, the Greater Norwich authorities will conduct thorough assessments to determine which sites might be suitable for inclusion in the reviewed local plan. This evaluation process will form the foundation for future public consultations where community members can provide feedback on proposed sites. It’s worth noting that during the current GNLP development, far more sites were submitted for consideration than were ultimately allocated, demonstrating the selective nature of the process. Daniel Elmer, Chair of the GNDP and Leader of South Norfolk Council, emphasized the importance of maintaining Greater Norwich’s reputation for successful joint planning: “An up-to-date plan doesn’t just meet government mandates; it 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.”
Greater Norwich has a distinguished history of leveraging its unique joint planning approach to secure substantial infrastructure investments. This collaborative model has proven successful in obtaining funding for major projects such as the Long Stratton bypass, demonstrating how coordinated planning can translate into tangible community improvements. The refreshed GNLP will place significant emphasis on climate resilience, reflecting growing awareness of environmental challenges. By starting this review now, the planning authorities can ensure all future development aligns with the latest environmental evidence, protecting the region’s natural assets while promoting sustainable, low-carbon infrastructure. This balanced approach seeks to accommodate necessary growth while preserving what makes Greater Norwich special.
The timing of this review is strategic for financial reasons as well. By initiating the process before the June 2026 deadline, the Councils qualify for specific Government funding to offset the costs of plan-making. Some of this support has already been secured for digitalizing the planning process, which will create a more transparent and accessible system for residents. This digital-first approach will be implemented across all stages of the GNLP review, including for site submissions during the Call for Sites period. The aim is to streamline the plan-making process in accordance with government requirements while allowing for more effective assessment of submissions. This modernization represents an important step forward in making planning more accessible and understandable to the general public.
For those wishing to participate in the Call for Sites but who may need assistance with the digital submission platform, the Greater Norwich Local Plan team stands ready to help. They can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phone at 01603 306603. This support ensures that technical barriers don’t prevent anyone from participating in this important process. The review of the Greater Norwich Local Plan represents more than just a bureaucratic exercise—it’s an opportunity for the region to thoughtfully consider how it wants to grow over the coming decades. By balancing housing needs, infrastructure requirements, environmental protection, and community input, the GNDP aims to create a framework that allows Greater Norwich to thrive sustainably. Through careful planning and broad engagement, the region can maintain its character while embracing the opportunities that responsible growth can bring to current and future residents.
