RAF West Raynham could become ‘garden village’

A development brief has been drawn up for RAF West Raynham, near Fakenham.

North Norfolk District Council has launched a public consultation over plans to create a 'garden village' on the 158-acre site.

It would include 500 homes and 37,000 sq m of 'workspace', which developers say could create 1,400 new jobs through 'a mixture of new build and conversion/re-use of existing buildings'.

A public consultation is running until Monday, December 14.

North Norfolk council leader Tom FitzPatrick said: 'I would urge people to have a look at the development brief and give their views. 'This is a major proposal for homes and jobs in our district and the development brief will help the council to judge any future planning applications – that's why it's so important for people to have their say now.'

The brief also outlines how the site could support sport and recreation with a children's play area, an existing gym which could be refurbished as well as squash and tennis courts.

The former RAF airbase was developed as an airbase in 1937-1939 and closed in 1994. It still houses a range of former RAF buildings including hangers, the station headquarters, officers' mess, and a Grade II listed control tower.

The blueprint for the site says that if it were developed, these could be preserved.

'The vision is to reuse and reinvigorate the site in a way that respects and celebrates the historical and architectural heritage of the site,' it adds.

The council, acting as the planning authority, will have to decide whether to adopt the proposed development brief, either as it is or with proposed changes.

If it is accepted then future planning applications will be judged against it.

Any comments/observations should be sent to the District Council under ref: DB/15/0001 using the email: planning@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Once the consultation is complete it is expected that the council will consider the proposal in early February.

You can see the brief here.