Whole Settlement Strategy
STALHAM
March 2003
NORTH
NORFOLK
DISTRICT COUNCIL
Stalham Whole Settlement Strategy
INTRODUCTION
This strategy is the product of an extensive public participation exercise carried out in
2001(details of this are given at the back of this report (Annex 1)). The Strategy
outlines:
The roles that the town fulfills - including the perceptions of the nature of the town and
its various functions and services.
The issues that need to be addressed - relating to the physical environment,the
community and social life of the town and its economy.
Broad aims for the future development of the town - focused on addressing land-use
issues.
Objectives that will help to achieve those aims - established from the consideration of
various options.
North Norfolk District Council has adopted the Strategy as Council Policy to guide the
future development of Stalham. It will be followed-up by detailed policies and proposals in the
review of the North Norfolk Local Plan (planning land use and development up to 2011).
SUMMARY
Stalham is a simple small Norfolk town. Its air of remoteness is balanced by the town’s proximity to
many major attractions and its relatively good links with other towns and villages. Whilst displaying no
overriding architectural style the town is characterised
by its low-rise, open, linear form on the fringe of the
wide open spaces of the Broads.
There is increasing concern amongst the town's
inhabitants about Stalham’s ability to thrive as a rural
centre. With limited employment opportunities and
few facilities for entertainment and leisure activities it
may be difficult to maintain a balanced population
structure in the town. This will have a further impact on
the vitality of the town and the commercial viability of
its centre.
This Strategy aims to reinforce Stalham’s role as a
market town and to increase its accessibility and
attractiveness to visitors to the area. It suggests
broadening the employment base and identifying
opportunities for housing development suitable for
young people in order to help nurture a balanced
community that should be supported by improved
community facilities. A key issue is for new
development to respect the essential character of
Stalham but for opportunities to enhance its
environment to be fully exploited in the future.
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Stalham Whole Settlement Strategy
ROLES
Environment
Stalham is generally a pleasant small town with a
distinctive town centre and attractive rural
setting on the edge of the Broads. The
environment of the town is generally a great
asset, however, there are unsightly areas that
detract from its overall appearance and may
deter visitors.
Housing
Stalham is a desirable place to live with attractive
residential areas and a reasonably good mix of
house types, tenure and price. The town
therefore has a reasonably balanced population
structure. This balance is shifting, however, with
Stalham becoming an increasingly popular place
for retirement and younger people moving away.
Employment and Tourism
The town has for many years been a centre for
holidays on the Broads and thus many jobs in the
town have depended on the local boating
industry (which itself has been in decline). There
are few traditional industrial businesses based in
the town itself but a significant number of people
from the area are employed on the industrial
estate at nearby Catfield and in agriculturalrelated businesses in Brumstead and Ingham.
Many people also commute to Norwich and
Great Yarmouth.
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Stalham Whole Settlement Strategy
Community Facilities, Recreation
and Shopping
Stalham has an active community supporting a large
number of voluntary organisations. Although there is a
satisfactory range of community facilities, sports and
leisure facilities and services, catering for the day-today needs of the inhabitants of the local area, there is
a need for enhancement. The town’s medical facilities
and its schools are valued, particularly the community
use of the High School.
The town does have a good range of local shops and
the market is regarded as an important asset and
attraction for visitors. People from the area also,
however, rely heavily on nearby towns (North
Walsham and Wroxham) and also Great Yarmouth and
Norwich to meet major shopping needs.
Overall it seems Stalham is struggling to hang on to its
role as a service centre and people are increasingly
drawn away from the town to meet their shopping and
entertainment needs. The impending completion of
the Tesco store is expected to help rectify this.
Transport
As Stalham is situated on a main road there is
reasonably good access to the larger centres of
Norwich, Great Yarmouth and North Walsham. It is
also well located for the Broads and the east coast
beaches. For those without a car the town is relatively
remote but there are many opportunities for cycling,
walking and boating for both locals and visitors.
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Stalham Whole Settlement Strategy
ISSUES
Environment
There is a lack of general amenity space in the centre of the town the existing recreation ground is not well-related to the town
centre.
The old Saleground occupies a key position between the town
centre and the staithe. Until recently it was in an unsightly state,
though the current redevelopment activity here has improved the
appearance of this area.
Upper Staithe Road in particular has for some time been a very
unattractive approach to the town for visitors coming from the
Staithe. Again it is hoped that the redevelopment of the Saleground
will present a major opportunity for this to be improved.
The ‘old station site’ is in a prominent position at the entrance to
the town but its derelict state presents a poor image.
The area contains important ecosystems and wildlife habitats and
it is important to protect these from harmful development,
particularly the encroachment of tourist development on the Ant
Valley.
A number of historic buildings remain in the town centre (e.g The
Old Fire House building, which has recently been renovated) and
their importance to the town should be recognised.
Housing
There is not enough affordable housing for young people and
families.
There is a fear that an increase in second home ownership in the
area will harm the character of the town.
Unsympathetic new housing development will spoil the
environment of the town.
Concern that surrounding villages are losing their ‘rural feel’.
Employment and Tourism
Whilst it is considered that Stalham should continue to be a centre
for the Broads, the significance of this as a source of employment
is likely to diminish.
A boost is needed for local commercial businesses and tourismbased industries that depend upon visitor spending.
Many jobs in the town are unskilled or semi-skilled and are often
part-time. New forms of employment investment should be
sought in order to maintain a balanced population structure and
reduce the need for commuting.
There are limited job opportunities in the area for school leavers.
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Stalham Whole Settlement Strategy
Community Facilities, Recreation and
Shopping
The High Street is essential to the successful functioning
of the town. There are fears that the range of shops will
continue to decline and that there are already too many
take-a-ways.
There are limited facilities for young people in the town.
It is crucial to maintain and expand facilities which enable
people to be involved in the social life of the town - for
example, a community centre and amenity area.
Transport Issues
The A149 cuts the town off from the Staithe, which
deters Broads holiday-makers from visiting the town and
inconveniences residents who want to enjoy the Broads.
Safe and convenient access is required to the
countryside, the Broads and the country lanes for
walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Public transport connecting Stalham with surrounding
towns and villages is inadequate.
Traffic in certain parts of the town centre causes a
nuisance and a danger to pedestrians, although the
implementation of traffic calming measures around the
three schools and the promotion of walking and cycling
to school should assist in reducing traffic problems at
peak times.
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Stalham Whole Settlement Strategy
AIMS
Environment
To retain the essential character of the town
but encourage sympathetic improvements.
To c o n s e r v e a n d m a n a g e t h e n a t u r a l
environment to provide a suitable habitat for
wildlife and better public access.
Housing
To f o s t e r a m o r e b a l a n c e d p o p u l a t i o n
structure and a vibrant and more sustainable
community.
Employment and Tourism
To encourage new employment generating
development in the town.
To build on the local tourism industry as a
continuing employment opportunity and as a
means of supporting the commercial life of
the town.
Community Facilities, Recreation & Shopping
To reinforce Stalham’s role as a service
centre to meet the needs of people within its
catchment, by retaining and expanding the
range of shops, services and community
facilities.
To i m p r o v e l e i s u r e f a c i l i t i e s f o r y o u n g
people.
To improve sports and community facilities
for all age groups.
Transport
To ensure that the town is safe, clean and
accessible to residents of the area and
visitors using a variety of means of
transport.
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Stalham Whole Settlement Strategy
OBJECTIVES
Environment
Areas of land, based upon Stalham fen, should
be identified as a nature reserve. It should be
managed as a wildlife habitat with public
access, including sedge beds, meadow and
perhaps woodland.
Protect existing open spaces in the town.
Investigate the potential for a new public
amenity space close to the centre of town.
Enhance the appearance of the town from the
bypass by, amongst other things, ensuring highquality development on the old station site.
Protect important buildings in the town centre.
Housing Development
Identify suitable sites for small-scale housing
development close to the town centre.
Continue to restrict housing development in
nearby villages.
Ensure that new housing development
includes the type of accommodation that is
suitable for and attractive to young families.
Community Facilities, Recreation
& Shopping
Make every effort to reinforce the role of the
High Street as the commercial centre of the
town.
Encourage the development of a wider range of
activities for young people.
Maintain safe and convenient pedestrian access
between the High Street and the development
on the Saleground site.
Transport Development
Support improvements in public transport
provision for both residents and visitors.
Create a safe and pleasant pedestrian link
between the staithe and the town centre.
Promote opportunities for the safe and
convenient access to the countryside and
country lanes for walkers, cyclists and horse
riders, particularly capitalising on the Weaver’s
Way route that passes the town.
Ensure that infill housing is not developed at
the expense of existing green areas within the
town.
Continue to encourage the conversion of
vacant premises above shops to flats.
Employment and Tourism
Identify a suitable new site in the town (or on the
edge) to accommodate small-scale
employment enterprises perhaps in a mixeduse scheme together with housing and/or
commercial development.
Improve links between the town centre and the
staithe to support town centre businesses by
increasing visitor spending.
Seek to develop further opportunities for
tourism throughout the year.
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Stalham Whole Settlement Strategy
A n n e x 1 : P u b l i c Pa r t i c i p a t i o n P r o c e s s
The process of involving people in the development of the strategy included
the following three main elements.
Stakeholder Workshop
Thirty-five people representing a wide range of interests (commercial businesses, community
organisations, special interest groups, sporting, religious and educational interests and members of
town, parish and District Councils) were involved in a workshop on 28 June 2001. This helped to:
develop an understanding of the role, function and catchment of the town;
appreciate the participant's aspirations and their views on the town's needs;
identify the issues that the strategy needed to address; and
identify the topics and/or participants for ‘targeted sessions’.
Interactive Exhibition
The ideas generated at the stakeholder workshop were developed into displays that were exhibited
at the Town Hall on Saturday 8th September 2001. Approximately 120 people attended this
exhibition giving feedback on the issues and prioritising the options put forward.
Targeted Session
To ensure that young people's views were represented it was decided to involve pupils of Stalham
High School. This was done by means of an interactive exhibition at the High School that was left up
in the school library from the 12th to the 21st September 2001. It was similar to the full public
exhibition but focused more on the issues likely to affect young people. Many students took an
active interest in the project and the exhibition generated some very useful feedback.
For further information please contact:
Forward Planning Manager, North Norfolk District Council,
PO Box 5, Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer,
Norfolk. NR27 9DZ
Telephone : 01263 516133
e-mail - gary.alexander@north-norfolk.gov.uk
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