Terra has agreed terms with a private landowner to promote a 39.6Ha (98-acre) site in the Norfolk town and Civil Parish of Costessey. The emerging policy for the area indicates that the land could deliver in the region of 800 new homes, education and other community facilities, together with environmental benefits. Over 50% of the site will be designated to green infrastructure and high quality Public Open Space.
Accessed from the eastern side, the large land parcel has already been identified by Norwich Council as a contingency site, which is ‘well-related to the existing edge of the Norwich urban area, neighbouring the built-up areas of Bowthorpe and Costessey’. Terra is currently undertaking masterplanning work, in advance of the draft Greater Norwich Local Plan examination scheduled for spring 2022.
James O’Shea, Managing Director of Terra Strategic said: “The scale of this well-located site presents the opportunity for the delivery of an ambitious design-led highly sustainable community, which will deliver numerous local benefits. To bring this scheme forward, we have hand-picked masterplanners and consultants who are renouned for their environmentally-led approach to placemaking.
“This immediately available site could help to meet Greater Norwich’s annual housing targets at a time when there is a considerable shortfall in the number of new homes being built across the UK. Much-needed education facilities can also be delivered here, along with workspace and recreation features for local people, while simultaneously enhancing connections with the nearby established neighbourhoods. We are looking forward to working with the Council’s Officers, Local Councillors and all stakeholders to move forward with our plans.”
Located within the boundary of the A47 Norwich Southern Bypass, the site is logically located as an extension of the existing urban area of Costessey. Within the town itself - in walking distance to Terra’s land - there is a diverse range of services and facilities, including a primary school, secondary school, food stores, doctor’s surgery and pharmacy. A frequent bus service to Norwich town centre is within close proximity, while Norwich Train Station is five miles away, providing direct services to Ipswich, Cambridge, Peterborough, and London Liverpool Street.
The expansive site consists of four main land parcels, which are sub-divided east to west by a band of newly established plantation woodland, the majority of which would be preserved and enhanced. Through a strategy of tree and hedgerow retention, as well as extensive new planting, a biodiversity net gain of at least 10% can be achieved.
The north of the site borders two recent developments; Hampden View and Lodge Farm, which Terra’s development plans connect into. Bowthorpe Employment Area and the residential neighbourhood of Bowthorpe border the site to the east, and benefit from being within the Norwich Strategic Cycle Network.
The Environmental Dimension Partnership (EDP) has been appointed by Terra to undertake masterplanning work, supported by Barton Wilmore. The highways consultant for the project is M.E.C, while Temple is the ecology and arboriculture consultant.
Terra is an experienced residential land specialist, which enters into agreements with landowners and then pursues, funds and secures an agreeable planning permission. It also has the financial resources to secure land with or without residential planning consent to assist landowners looking for a quick sale process.
Terra has a national reach, having recently secured residential land in Bedfordshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, The West Midlands, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. Terra currently controls 24 sites, with circa 460 acres of residential land that is capable of delivering 2,200 new homes.