Following a comprehensive review of potential sites, Norwich City Council can reveal it has brokered a deal on a preferred site to progress plans to relocate the livestock market from its current location in Hall Road, Norwich.
The preferred site is the A47 Compound site, near the Food Enterprise Park.
It has been chosen for its excellent strategic location and accessibility to the wider region which the livestock market would serve.
Cllr Carli Harper, cabinet member for finance and major projects, said:
“We have chosen this site as it represents an excellent opportunity to continue our detailed work to explore relocation plans for the livestock market so Norfolk’s farming community will have a top-class facility which has excellent transport links to the wider region it serves.
“No final decision has been taken. We will take forward further investigation and design work and conduct a wide-ranging public consultation and engagement exercise with local residents and key stakeholders later this year.”
The city council is legally required to provide a livestock market for the region. Until last year, it had a duty to provide the facility within the council’s boundary. Following the council’s successful change to an act of parliament, it was granted legal permission to relocate a new livestock market outside of the council’s boundary – something which will better suit the needs of those who use or rely on the livestock market to make a living.
Detailed surveys carried out at the current facility on Hall Road show it is in need of substantial repairs and is lacking in modern biosecurity and animal welfare standards required at modern livestock markets.
These factors have driven the council to seek suitable alternatives to relocate the market, ensuring it is sufficiently close to key transport links such as the A11 and A47 and within 16 miles of the existing market site on Hall Road.
