Rackheath Eco-Community

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Community: Eco-Settlement

The site

The proposed site at Rackheath, incorporating much of the former Second World War airfield, has a range of attributes which combine to make it an ideal location for the proposed Eco-Community:

Geographical: Rackheath is perfectly located; it falls within local authority plans for the future growth of the Norwich area and is easily linked to the city and thereon to the rest of the country.

Transport: The established railway line which currently runs through Rackheath, linking the neighbouring village of Salhouse to Norwich, is ideally placed to offer improved public transport and freight links - crucial to the successful development of eco-friendly living. The proposal includes a new railway station at Rackheath and an extension to the line to enable regular deliveries of materials for on-site renewable energy production.

Wind: The site benefits from beneficial wind patterns lending itself to the option of wind turbines offering an ultra clean source of renewable energy

Employment: Rackheath Industrial Estate and Broadland Park on the outskirts of Norwich are robust local employment sites. Broadland Park is soon to be extended, which will present timely white collar employment opportunities. Improved rail and bus links will offer regular and convenient links to Norwich.

Ecology: The site at Rackheath sits in a natural ecological corridor between Norwich and the Broads, a virtue which will be fully exploited as parts of the new settlement are restored to heathland, incorporating water features, in a deliberate and determined commitment to recreating thriving habitats. Importantly, the new development does not pose a threat to indigenous wildlife.

Natural resources: A significant area of the proposed new development sits on a natural supply of aggregates which will be used as source material in the building of the new community.

University of East Anglia: Rackheath is uniquely placed to benefit from pioneering work at the University of East Anglia’s internationally acclaimed School of Environmental Research. Located just five miles away in Norwich, the UEA’s Climatic Research programme advises governments throughout the world. By collaborating with the university, Rackheath has a realistic opportunity to become a benchmark scheme for future residential Eco-Communities, not only in the UK but around the globe.

Rackheath: the perfect environmentally-friendly solution…

* www.cru.uea.ac.uk