Responses were received from the key organisations listed below. Their principal comments and concerns with the proposals are summarised below.
Guide dogs for the blind association
Welcomes investment in the urban environment that is inclusive. Highlighting detailed design considerations for people with sight loss, referring to Bath City Council design standards for accessibility. Also referring to guidance published by Guide Dogs on accessible regeneration schemes.
Officer response:
Initial appraisal of the existing site by the design team highlighted the poor design standard of the space with regard to accessibility and inclusivity. Creating a more accessible open space in the city centre is therefore one of the main aims of the project.
The proposal presented for public consultation was a concept scheme to communicate initial ideas and by nature precluded the detailed design features highlighted by the consultee.
The published guidance highlighted by the consultee is noted by the design team.
The design team will be in contact with key stakeholders, including local accessibility groups as the design progresses.
Historic England
No objection in principle to the overall concept for Hay Hill but detail of surfacing, materials, street furniture and planting and the precise locations of these will be very important in its success.
Officer response:
Relevant planning approvals and permissions will be sought as required.
The design team will continue to engage with Historic England as the design progresses.
Norwich Market Traders Association
Would like to see Hay Hill redeveloped to allow space for comfortable seating, so customers who purchase food and drink from Norwich Market have somewhere nearby to be able to sit and enjoy their food. Welcome improvements to Weavers Lane as the main thoroughfare between the Market and Hay Hill. PowerPoint presentation provided giving ideas for improvements to Weavers Lane.
Officer response:
The consultation has shown that many of these views are shared by the wider public.
The design team have noted these comments and suggestions by the consultee and will engage with them on proposals for areas of particular interest, such as Weavers Lane.
Norwich cycling campaign
Broadly welcomes a redesign of the Hay Hill area. Cycle parking should be retained and enhanced where possible. Concerns of reduction in the width of Hay Hill (highway leading up towards the Forum) and potential increase in user conflict. Consideration of food delivery and other cyclists to the western extent of Hay Hill. Would like to see unrestricted 2-way cycle access to William Booth Street and Weavers Lane.
Officer response:
Cycle parking provision will be considered by the design team.
Proposed width of Hay Hill leading up to The Forum is subject to Norfolk County Council highways approval. The width shown for consultation is minimum 4.8m at its narrowest point, which in practical terms is sufficient for two vehicles to pass. This narrowing had been proposed to address issues of pavement distortion caused by tree roots.
Encouragement of unrestricted two-way cycle access to Weavers Lane is not considered to be appropriate due to the width of the lane, the enclosed nature of the northern entrance onto the market and type of pedestrian movements in this area.
William Booth Street is a very short length of road with a turning head, on which two-way cycle movements are already permitted. The access from William Booth Street onto Hay Hill is covered by the city centre pedestrian and cycle zone.
Again, due to the high pedestrian numbers and movements in this area, with several building accesses, we would not encourage two-way cycle movements.
The topography and locations of level thresholds generally dictates the cyclable routes around Hay Hill and encourages cyclists to dismount before entering the public space.
Food delivery service modes have been noted by the design team in their initial appraisal of the site and the team will work to address these in development of proposals for William Booth Street.
University of East Anglia (UEA)
Request consideration of the UEA as a potential location site for the Homage to Sir Thomas Browne sculptures, particularly linking to the brain imaging centre and psychology departments.
Officer response:
The council will engage with organisations who have expressed an interest in the sculptures and progress an options appraisal for discussion with key stakeholders.
