rackheath eco-community - an update

Check this page for regular updates and current news about the Rackheath eco-community.

july 2010

The Council had planned a series of public exhibitions and consultations on plans for growth throughout the district to take place during the summer which had been widely publicised in a letter to residents, in Broadland News and in the EDP. However, until the new Coalition Government's planning policies are clarified and we know under what funding constraints we will be operating, Broadland District Council has postponed those exhibitions and consultations. A letter was sent to residents of Broadland in June, setting out these changes. A copy of this letter is available in the 'documents' section, below.

We also need a plan for the management of development for the future and for that reason work on the Joint Core Strategy will still be progressed to deal with the questions raised by the independent planning inspector prior to its examination.

The Council has received some £10.2m of funding for the Rackheath Programme of Development. We will ensure this is used to work in partnership to deliver the "exemplar project" to provide much needed affordable housing and demonstrate how high environmental standards can deliver a low carbon development that contributes to a high quality of life for the community by ensuring that their future fuel supplies are sustainable, energy bills lower and their environment protected. Other major projects that we will continue to work on include retro fitting of existing homes to bring them up to more efficient energy standards and improving public transport.

april 2010

Have Your Say: Rackheath Surgeries

Find out more about the Rackheath eco-community, and have your say, at Salhouse Road, Rackheath. The events shall be held between 3pm and 8pm on the following dates:

12 August
09 September
14 October
11 November
09 December

february 2010

Press Release: eco-community is attracting business investment to Norfolk

150 delegates from over 100 businesses braved snowy and icy weather to learn what opportunities the development an Eco-Community in nearby Rackheath might hold for them… Read the full eco-community article

Press Release: government funding for vital projects boost for eco-community

The Minister for Housing, John Healey has announced a £9.55 million investment to help create an Eco Community in Norfolk… Read the full government funding article

background information

The ambition is for eco-towns to be exemplars of sustainable living. In addition to housing, eco-towns aim to mitigate and adapt to climate change, will provide high quality public transport, local services, and open space. The eco-towns will be water and energy efficient, striving for 'zero-carbon' standard.

The Rackheath eco-community will be a mixed-use community offering employment, day-to-day services, and public transport in addition to the 4,150 houses. Good design, with a significant amount of open space will ensure that the eco-community delivers the high quality of life that Broadland resident's value. Renewable energy technologies will be incorporated into the development to help the eco-community achieve a low carbon way of life.

The Rackheath eco-community proposal was identified by the government department Communities and Local Government in a supplement to the planning guidance Planning Policy Statement 1: Eco-towns. This document outlines the standards and expectations that the Rackheath eco-community should meet.