Norfolk County Council's Planning and Highways Delegations Committee voted on 7 September 2026 to submit an official representation to Breckland District Council in response to its draft Local Plan, published under Regulation 19 of planning regulations.

The Breckland Local Plan will shape development decisions across the district — covering towns such as Thetford, Dereham and Attleborough — for years to come, including where new homes, roads and employment sites can be built.

The committee agreed that Norfolk County Council's detailed response, set out in Appendix A of the report, should be sent to Breckland District Council as the county's formal position.

Committee members also delegated authority to the Director of Strategy, Growth and Investment — acting in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Members for Highways and Transport and for Countryside, Coast and Culture — to make any necessary amendments to the submission before it is sent.

That same officer can also make further submissions on the county council's behalf during the Examination in Public, the independent process through which a planning inspector scrutinises a local plan before it can be formally adopted.

The decision was classed as a key decision and had been on the council's forward plan since 6 August 2026. Residents or councillors who wish to challenge the decision have until 4.00pm on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to submit a call-in request to committees@norfolk.gov.uk.