Hethersett a norfolk village on the web

A public exhibition in Hethersett Methodist Church gave local people a preview of what the village could be like with new development that is likely to bring over 1,000 new houses.

Concerns have been voiced for some time that the additional housing would put an impossible pressure on village infrastructure. Now the developers have come up with a blueprint for what is being called Hethersett North. Following the exhibition the developers will be applying for outline planning permission next month, which could be granted as early as April 2012.

The exhibition outlined the developers' "vision" for Hethersett North:

"The proposals include up to 1,196 homes, a new primary school, expansion to Hethersett Secondary School playing fields, sports pitches, ponds, allotments, community gardens and a small local centre offering space for local businesses. A significant proportion of the site will be accessible to the public offering a new leisure resource for the residents of Hethersett," Developers Ptarmigan Land state in a glossy leaflet given out at the exhibition.

"The development at Hethersett North provides the opportunity to create new distinctive high quality and sustainable neighbourhoods set within a generous and spectacular landscape network of parks, water features, sports pitches, allotments, community gardens and cycle ways," the leaflet states.

Phil Emery, a member of the campaign group Hands off Hethersett, said: "We accept there will be houses but we want it done right. We do not want Hethersett looking like a building site for 10 years. We must make sure we get benefits for the village and not just the developers."

It could take as long as 15 years for the full development to come to fruition.

The Greater Norwich Joint Core Strategy (JCS) adopted in March 2011, has set Hethersett aside for the development of at least 1,000 new homes. Hethersett could also take further housing under an additional 1,800 homes to be allocated in South Norfolk beyond those already identified in the new JCS.

The latest plans for Hethersett North include the following proposals.

Up to 1,196 new homes

Improvements to Colney Lane and Norwich Road junction including traffic signals.

New access from Colney Lane to Hethersett North

New vehicle route from Burnthouse Lane to Colney Lane

Pedestrian and cycle routes in Burnthouse Lane and parts of Back Lane

Cycle and pedestrian routes linking the village to Norwich Research Park

A pedestrian crossing on Back Lane providing safe links between the secondary school and the new playing fields.

New vehicle access from New Road and Great Melton Road to Hethersett North

An east-west vehicle route created through the new neighbourhood

Improvements to Little Melton Road

Limited vehicle access to Henstead Road

Pedestrian links to connect to existing footpaths and Rights of Way

A new primary school with playing fields

Additional playing fields for Hethersett High School to allow for extension of school on existing playing fields.

New ground and clubhouse for Hethersett Athletic Football Club

A neighbourhood centre including shops and small business units.

Allotments and community orchards

Parks and informal play areas

A neighbourhood park

A pond for surface water storage

Improved planting and landscaping

New footpaths, cycle routes and trim trails set in parkland

Footpath and cycle routes to Hethersett village centre

Hethersett on the web will be joining the campaign to ensure that the following promises are adhered to.