This involves a new building for the estate residents to receive meals, attend social events and meetings and comprises seating space, a servery area and a kitchen. It will also contain an office suite for day-to-day management operations.

The site for the clubhouse building is set between an existing group of 15 care dwellings to the west and a potential future second phase of a further 22 care dwellings to the east.

See our earlier story:
Altered plans for care village submitted to district council

See the earlier EDP story HERE.

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Image: Indigo Landscape Architects

After the nearly two-hour meeting, committee members voted by four votes to three to grant a temporary 40-year permission for the scheme, off Nowhere Lane.

The council’s planning officers had recommended approval of the project, despite objections from individuals and organisations concerned about issues such as the scale of the development, increased traffic, the loss of agricultural land and safety concerns over lithium-ion batteries.

Reepham Town Council had objected to the plans, while Greg Peck, county councillor for Reepham, spoke against them, arguing that the project would destroy productive farmland as well as some scenic countryside and wildlife habitat.

Chris Banks, renewables development manager at Albanwise Synergy, said the scheme would contribute to the shift to greener energy, generating enough electricity to serve more than 14,000 homes a year and would offset nearly 6,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

To move the project forward, the developers will now have to obtain planning permission for an underground cable route to connect the solar farm to the Salle electricity substation near Cawston. This connection has been agreed with UK Power Networks, although the cable route has yet to be decided.

Following Broadland’s decision, Mr Banks said Albanwise Synergy is now working on possible cable routes, either to the north or south of Reepham, with a planning application aiming to be submitted by the end of this year.

It is anticipated that initial construction works for the solar farm could begin from late 2026 into 2027. Access to the site for construction traffic would be via the B1145 Dereham Road.

Read the EDP story HERE.

See our earlier stories:

• Pettywell solar farm set for approval despite objections
• Town council objects to solar farm project
• Public consultation now open on solar farm planning application
• Plans revealed for proposed Pettywell solar farm

The post Solar farm at Pettywell gets approval in close vote appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

Renewable energy firm Albanwise Synergy said the development, which has a lifespan of 40 years, would generate enough power for more than 14,000 homes.

Around 80 people have objected to the plans, as well as Reepham Town Council and local MP Jerome Mayhew.

Broadland District Council’s planning committee has been advised to approve the solar farm, subject to conditions; download the planning officer’s report HERE.

The planning application will be considered at Broadland’s Planning Committee on Wednesday 23 April, starting at 9.30 am. The meeting will be held in the Council Chamber for those wishing to speak and will also be livestreamed HERE.

See our earlier stories:

• Town council objects to solar farm project
• Public consultation now open on solar farm planning application
• Plans revealed for proposed Pettywell solar farm

The post Pettywell solar farm set for approval despite objections appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

A training session will be held on Thursday 24 April from 6–8 pm at Reepham Town Hall, Church Street, Reepham (please arrive 10 minutes early).

Mindful towns and villages offer safe spaces for people to have an open conversation about their mental well-being with individuals willing to support their communities.

People from within the community, such as small businesses, community groups, sports clubs and residents who like to support others, will complete low-level mental health awareness training and can use this knowledge to provide support and signpost to other services as needed.

These individuals, called Wellbeing Champions, are not expected to give any additional time to this role; these conversations will occur naturally as part of daily life.

Wellbeing Champions are also not expected to take on the role of a counsellor or diagnose any conditions. They are simply there for a low-level chat and to signpost as needed.

The training is two hours long with a break and offers basic education about stress, different mental health conditions, why people may struggle and signs you may notice when someone is having a hard time.

You will also learn how you might approach someone and start a conversation. Finally, you will learn about the district council’s Help Hub and other services that can offer support so you can effectively signpost.

You will receive access to a private area on the council’s website with further links and a supporting resource to use when having conversations.

If you are interested in booking a place, you can use the following booking link HERE.

This training is being held each month and moves around various locations between South Norfolk and Broadland. Future dates for this year are on the booking form.

The post Free mental health awareness training appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

Reepham Town Council has raised objections to the Pettywell Solar Farm planning application following its meeting on Wednesday 15 January, with the four councillors present voting unanimously against the plans.

The meeting was attended by almost 40 members of the public, as well as representatives from the developer, Albanwise Synergy.

The solar farm, which is planned for land east of Nowhere Lane, is a renewable energy-generating project including photovoltaic panels, supporting infrastructure including inverters, transformers, a substation, a battery energy storage system, fencing, CCTV cameras, access tracks, and biodiversity and landscape mitigation.

The project, which also borders Marriott’s Way and the B1145, has a 40-year lifespan, according to Albanwise.

In its submission to Broadland District Council, the town council said the proposed solar farm represents a “significant intrusion on valuable agricultural land, threatens local wildlife and would negatively affect tourism and the local economy.

“The cumulative impact of this development, combined with other major projects, risks overburdening the town and its infrastructure.

“Additionally, the lack of a legally binding decommissioning plan and the uncertain future of the land after the solar farm’s lifespan poses a further risk to the long-term integrity of the site.”

Objections to the plans have also been lodged by local MP Jerome Mayhew, County Councillor Greg Peck, CPRE Norfolk and more than 60 residents. However, no objections have been raised by such bodies as Natural England, the Environment Agency and Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service.

The issue appears to boil down to balancing the need for energy security and decarbonising the country’s electricity network with food security in the face of climate change and uncertain global supply chains.

Many residents and businesses point out that Reepham and nearby villages are already enduring ongoing roadworks, HGV movements and road closures associated with the cable routes passing through the district from two major offshore wind farm projects off the north Norfolk coast.

Residents, led by Hugh Ivins, who lives in Whitwell, next to the proposed solar farm site, noted that, according to government statements, “applicants should, where possible, utilise suitable previously developed land, brownfield land, contaminated land and industrial land, avoiding the use of best and most versatile agricultural land where possible”.

He added that an online petition has so far received more than 100 signatures objecting to the proposal. “The solar farm is simply in the wrong place,” Mr Ivins concluded.

However, Albanwise Synergy renewables development manager Chris Banks points out that the project area is primarily a combination of grades 3a and 3b agricultural land, with some grade 2 – land that is currently used for producing common commodity crops, of which the UK is an exporter, and non-specialist crops that can be grown in many areas across the country.

At the town council meeting, Albanwise said that, as a response to feedback from a consultation, it has reduced the total land area of the project by around 25%, repositioned the battery energy storage compound and made improvements to the proposed landscaping around the edges of the site.

The Hertfordshire-based renewables business also revealed that it is considering proposals to establish a community benefit fund worth £2,000 per megawatt (MW).

As the proposed solar farm has a total rating of 40 MW, which could provide enough electricity a year to power more than 14,000 dwellings, this would also offer around £80,000 for local community use.

The planning application (reference 2024/3676) has a potential determination date of 31 March. A spokesperson from Broadland’s planning department said comments can still be made, via the link HERE, up until 30 March.

See our earlier stories:

• Public consultation now open on solar farm planning application
• Plans revealed for proposed Pettywell solar farm

The post Town council objects to solar farm project appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

The follow-up event, to be held from 6–8 pm at Reepham College, Whitwell Road, Reepham, will bring together community members to share the report from the previous meeting and work together to identify next steps.

Local organisations and community groups are encouraged to take part to help shape discussions and showcase local resources and support available to the Reepham community.

If you are interested in coming along or have any questions, please email Ellen Faure, Project Delivery Officer, Broadland Heath Health and Wellbeing Partnership.

See our earlier story:

• Help to build a more connected town

The post Community engagement event to identify next steps appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

The team from the community engagement van can provide advice or support on such issues as: money and debt worries; benefits; parenting, relationships and domestic abuse; health and well-being; bereavement support; employment; and housing or home improvements. No appointments are required.

The van is a confidential space where you can come on board to talk one-on-one with a member of our team. Staff will listen to your needs and provide guidance and signposting if appropriate.

With your consent, the team are also able to log your request for support with the Help Hub and a follow-up call can be arranged.

The post Free advice and support at Great Witchingham appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

Reepham Reaches Out aims to share views on:

• What does it feel like to live in or visit Reepham and the surrounding area?
• How do people locally connect with each other?
• How to build a more connected community?

The event will be held on Monday 30 September at Reepham College, Whitwell Road, Reepham, from 6–8 pm.

This will be a welcoming and interactive event where participants will be split into smaller groups for discussion. Light refreshments will be served.

A £20 cash incentive is available for the first 60 people to register and attend. Sign up via Eventbrite HERE or telephone 01603 430431 (select option 5).

After the event, participants will be invited to attend an optional follow-up meeting to review the resulting report and help develop an action plan to bring suggestions to life.

Broadland Health and Wellbeing Partnership brings together colleagues from district and county councils, wider voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations, health services and other partners who contribute to the wider social, economic and environmental factors of health. With prevention at the heart, it focuses on the local population’s health and well-being and addressing health inequalities.

For further information, contact the partnership by email or click HERE.

The post Help to build a more connected town appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

The 10-kilometere trail race starts in Aylsham and winds through the district’s countryside before ending in Reepham’s Market Place.

This is the 15th year the council has held the event to encourage more people to get fit and active.

There will be a complimentary shuttle from Reepham High School, Whitwell Road, Reepham, to the start line and each runner will receive a medal and other goodies for taking part.

Entries cost £17 per affiliated runner, £19 per non-affiliated runner and £60 for corporate challenge entries of four runners. Places are limited.

Book your place HERE.

The post Book your place for the Marriott’s Way 10k appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

World Cafés are community engagement events, bringing people together for a conversation generating new ideas, connections and solutions.

These events are laid back, with the opportunity to have a cuppa and cake, write and draw on the tablecloth and share opinions.

This will all feed into a written and visual report that all participants will receive to see how they have shaped the conversation.

This project is being delivered by Broadland Health and Wellbeing Partnership because it wants to hear from the community about what local people need to live healthier, happier lives.

For anyone who would like to help plan and run this event, training will be held on 8 May from 11 am – 5 pm at Bawdeswell Village Hall, Reepham Road, Bawdeswell, where participants will learn how to plan and deliver a world café in an interactive and engaging way.

After the training, participants will join the planning team and help to deliver the event.

To sign up or for more information, please contact by email.

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