Norfolk bypass approved

South Norfolk Council has granted full planning permission for the construction of Long Stratton bypass and more than 1,800 homes. 

New employment land and a site for a new primary school have also been approved. 

South Norfolk Council, Norfolk County Council, Norfolk Homes Ltd and Norfolk Land Ltd worked to develop proposals to deliver the bypass of Long Stratton on the eastern side of the town. The aim is to cut congestion and support the local economy. 

North Norfolk Council will now seek delegated authority from its cabinet to submit a final business case to the government. If approved, this would release the funds needed to build the new road. 

The Department for Transport (DfT) previously committed £26.2 million towards its cost in granting approval of the council’s Outline Business Case in July 2021. 

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport and vice-chair of Transport East, said: “The A140 through Long Stratton is a real pinch point that affects thousands of road users, and the people who live and work in Long Stratton, on a daily basis. We want to deliver this vital scheme as soon as possible to cut congestion, help the local economy, and vastly improve this major regionally important route linking Norwich and Ipswich. The bypass is set to create hundreds of new jobs and homes, open up improvements for cycling and walking, and solve traffic and transport issues local people have been facing for more than a generation.” 

John Fuller, leader of South Norfolk Council, added: “This is a generational achievement which will bring far-reaching benefits and I look forward to work starting on the bypass next year. 

“However, this hasn’t been simply about securing a bypass and, instead, we have also granted permission for 1,800 much-needed homes as well as new jobs for the area. 

“South Norfolk’s central role in delivering the bypass is not limited to the grant of planning permission because we have also had a key role in securing the necessary funding for the road. This includes South Norfolk’s loan to front-fund the developer’s contribution of £4.5 million for the road.” 

The target date for work to start on construction is spring 2024. 

28 September 2023 
Laura Edgar, The Planner 

Our planning news is published in association with The Planner, the official magazine of the Royal Town Planning Institute.