Policy BUS1: New and Existing Business
Policy BUS1: New and Existing Business
- The Neighbourhood Plan identifies an acknowledged need for the provision of a new or expanded supermarket or convenience store to meet the needs of the Parish, and to reduce additional journeys out of the village. This should inform the application of national decision-making policies on the principle of development within and outside settlements and rural business development.
- The Neighbourhood Plan defines existing business premises, as shown on the Policies Map, for the purpose of applying national decision-making policies on meeting the need for business land and premises and rural business development.
View existing business premises on the policy map
- Census data from 2021 shows Horsford has continued the trend of a higher proportion of the population who are economically active when compared to Broadland. The main employment areas are Horsbeck Way Industrial Estate and Holt Road Industrial Estate. There are other businesses in their individual premises. There are also a growing number of businesses which operate from peoples’ homes. The Neighbourhood Plan is positive about new business and employment, provided it is on a scale, and in a location appropriate to a growing rural village as per the requirements of Policy 7.4 of the GNLP. The more job opportunities there are locally, the greater chances of Horsford being a flourishing and attractive rural village and the less people have to travel further afield.
- The village is currently served by a relatively small Co-op foodstore on Holt Road which provides an important local convenience function but does not offer the range or scale of provision associated with a larger supermarket. Planning permission has previously been granted for the relocation and expansion of this store to provide improved retail provision within the village, but the scheme has not been implemented. The need identified by the previous Neighbourhood Plan therefore remains relevant. Providing a new or expanded foodstore within Horsford would improve access to a wider range of everyday goods locally and help reduce the need for residents to travel to larger supermarkets outside the village, particularly for their main food shopping. The policy therefore establishes that meeting this identified need should be treated as a positive consideration when determining proposals for a new or expanded supermarket or convenience store, including proposals on suitable sites outside the settlement boundary where national policy allows for such development.