Travel plan for Hethersett's 1,196 new homes takes shape

The routes are being put forward by two housing developers, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey, which are planning to build more than 1,000 homes in Hethersett.

The developments will see the population of the village grow by as much as 30pc, but concerns have been raised that it will lead to traffic congestion in the area and put pressure on local services such as GP surgeries and schools.

To help ease fears Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey have put forward a plan to encourage people to reduce their car journeys and to instead walk or cycle.

The development is taking shape just north of Hethersett (Image: Taylor Wimpey/Google)

The initiative will cost several hundred thousand pounds. It will include creating new cycle and walking paths, as well as raising awareness of alternative travel options such as car sharing.

A GROWING COMMUNITY

Hethersett is undergoing rapid expansion as a 1,196 development on its northern border takes shape. 

Once completed, the community's population may grow by as much as 30pc, prompting Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey to develop a travel plan which will help to ease increased congestion.

A review of the 2011 census data for Hethersett showed that walking and cycling for commuting purposes was relatively low at 10pc of the 5,691 population. 

The developers believe this was because of the lack of cycling and pedestrian routes in the village at the time. 

But with the new homes coming - inflating the area's population from roughly 7,000 to nearly 10,000 - new and improved travel opportunities must be delivered.

Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon are leading the plans for improved travel (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

Both developers are aiming to reduce single-occupancy trips in the area by up to 15pc by 2030 which they hope will "reduce the need to travel by private car and aim to cut congestion to and from the development".

Since 2021, the village's traffic habits have been closely tracked and monitored as part of a £598,000 scheme which includes the management, measures, monitoring and promotion of the plan, now in its second year. 

READ MORE: Concrete roadblock installed and ford to close for 'foreseeable future' after tragedy

This budget excludes the £250,000 contribution to the nearby Colney Lane cycleway, however,  as well as the contribution toward the expansion of Thickthorn Park & Ride which developers must provide to meet the conditions of the planning application. 

Further plots have been earmarked for future development (Image: Taylor Wimpey/Google)

But certain roadblocks may hinder the plan's progress, according to the consortium, such as the lack of knowledge about bus links within the vicinity, the perceived cost of public transport compared to driving and even the quality of the village's shelters and bus stops. 

The travel plan has been prepared under guidance from the Department for Transport and will likely evolve as the 1,196-home development progresses. 

A BRIEF HISTORY

Plans for the Hethersett expansion were put before South Norfolk Council in November 2011. 

In July 2013, outline planning permission was granted for the overall site, followed by reserved matters approval for the first phase in December 2015. 

Consent was given for the second phase the following February and work began. 

READ MORE: Plans for new homes in city outskirts raises concerns over lack of schools and GPs

In the summer of 2021, an application was filed for phases three and four which was granted partial permission in February 2022. 

Phase three was started in 2023, with the primary school already completed. Shops and non-residential buildings will follow the completion of the homes.

Colney Lane, Churchfields, Burnthouse Lane, Little Melton Road and Hethersett Road provide access to the development which will house around 2,715 people once completed.