Holme-next-the-Sea Neighbourhood Plan
Introduction
Introduction to the Neighbourhood Plan
The work and consultations on the Neighbourhood Plan were completed by Autumn 2019 and the Plan was subsequently examined by Ms Ann Skippers, MRTPI a former president of the Royal Town Planning Institute. The Plan received an excellent report from the Examiner (January 2020) and also received a commendation from the Environment Agency.
The development of the Plan was actively supported by Natural England and our plan policies have been strongly supported by the Norfolk Coast Partnership who manage the AONB and the Norfolk Wildlife Trust who are responsible for the management of Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve. We have worked closely with the Borough Council’s planning officers throughout and have benefited enormously from their support and advice.
A very brief summary of the policies in the Plan can be found below. For more detail and a better understanding of the purpose and justification for each of the policies please refer to the individual policies on the Background and Policies page.
The Challenge
Although Holme is a small parish, it faces significant challenges. Amongst these the resident population is declining, visitor pressure is mounting and our environment and property face threats from climate change and sea level rise. Increases in traffic, noise and falling biodiversity are all linked to these trends. Extensive consultation has revealed parishioners’ widespread concerns about inappropriate development leading to deterioration in Holme’s exceptional natural environment. The Neighbourhood Plan responds to these issues and strongly reflects the shared vision of the community established through extensive consultation.
The Policies
The NDP contains 25 policies. These are underpinned by the principle of sustainable development and reflect Holme’s location on the Heritage Coast and within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Economy Policies
These recognise the overriding importance of the natural assets which drive the parish economy. They include policies for sustainable travel and tourism as well as policies to protect existing touring and permanent holiday accommodation whilst controlling the development of new camping and caravan sites.
Area Policies
The Plan is based on zones designed to guide development to suitable locations. These include a Development Envelope, a Flood Risk Zone, the Protected Sites, Countryside, Drove Orchards business and tourism activities zone and a zone to compensate for loss of parish amenity associated with land expected to be impacted by changes in climate and sea level rise.
Heritage & Settlement Character
The Plan includes policies to conserve the unique form of Holme with its its Roman origins. They provide explicit guidelines for development in the Conservation Area and ensure that all development enhances locally distinctive building styles and materials whilst also respecting neighbour amenity. A specific policy is included to ensure that all development has due regard for Holme’s architectural and archaeological heritage assets and their setting.
Housing Policies
These reflect the community’s views on the size and character of new and replacement dwellings. The policies aim to redress some of the growing imbalance in the housing stock in order to safeguard smaller homes that are suitable for local people and intending retirees which in turn will help to strengthen the resident community. New housing is expected to take the form of limited infill with the exception of an allocation of five small, principal homes on the site of the existing agricultural barn on Eastgate.
Environment Policies
Of particular importance the Plan includes a policy to ensure that development does not harm the special qualities of the AONB including views of the landscape and scenic beauty, sense of peace and tranquillity and our Dark Night Skies. Four Local Green Spaces are specially designated to protect areas of land identified as being particularly important to the Community. Other policies aim to make Holme more resilient to flooding, halt the decline in biodiversity, control noise and light pollution, as well as managing water resources, sewage disposal and the damaging impacts of traffic.