RSS East Of England Plan - Broads Authority

East of England Plan 101
POLICY KL1: King’s Lynn Key Centre for Development and Change
Local Development Documents should make further provision for housing, employment and other development at
King’s Lynn to achieve an urban renaissance and growth, including provision for 12,000 additional dwellings and
5,000 jobs in the district. Policies should:
• enhance the quality of the urban environment;
• make effective use of previously-developed land;
• provide for an improved range of services in the town;
• support economic development, job growth and the regeneration of communities; and
• provide improved transport choices both within the urban area and between the town and its hinterland.
13.63 King’s Lynn is the principal service centre for a mainly rural hinterland that extends beyond the borough of King’s Lynn and
West Norfolk, encompassing adjoining parts of the counties of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and of the districts of
Breckland and North Norfolk. Set in attractive countryside, it benefits from direct rail services to London and Cambridge,
sea links to northern European ports, and its historic character and water frontage.
13.64 The strategy for King’s Lynn is to develop a strong employment base building on and diversifying from its strengths in
engineering and food, providing high quality, well paid jobs to maintain a skilled and adaptable workforce and tackle social
exclusion. King’s Lynn will grow as the primary retail, leisure and cultural centre for western Norfolk, north east
Cambridgeshire and south east Lincolnshire, a commercial port, and a short break visitor destination built around the
town’s heritage and the area’s natural environment, making the most of its maritime traditions, waterfront, and inland
waterways. Parts of King’s Lynn are dependent on flood defences for protection and, in supporting growth and
regeneration, Local Development Documents should take careful account of strategic flood risk assessments.
Norwich
13.65 Norwich exerts a powerful economic, social and cultural influence over the surrounding market towns and villages. With
a population of around 200,000, the urban area is one of the largest in the East of England, and the city centre is the
highest ranking retail centre in the region. Road and rail links are improving, particularly on the A11 corridor and the city is
served by a growing regional airport.
13.66 Norwich provides a gateway to the Broads, and to much of Norfolk’s attractive coast and countryside. It is also a major
visitor destination in its own right, especially for its heritage and cultural attractions and vibrant evening economy.
However, parts of the city and its rural hinterland suffer high levels of deprivation and regeneration remains a priority.
13.67 The area’s economic strengths include a diverse economic base with specialisms in biotechnology, food processing,
finance, insurance and business services, retail, leisure and tourism, media and creative industries and an important
education and training base in the University of East Anglia, Norwich School of Art and Design, Easton College and
Norwich City College. There are opportunities to build on existing strengths, with Norwich and surrounding towns and
villages benefiting from the city’s status as a major economic driver for the county and visitor destination of international
importance. This is recognised in its identification by the Government as a new growth point.