The village and its surroundings

Castle Acre nestles in the south west corner of the Parish with the River Nar and its wetlands to the south and west, and farmland to the north. By selecting the Castle Acre parish boundary (see map below) as the parameter for its Neighbourhood Area, the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group believes this represents the intensely rural and historic nature of the village. The long distance footpaths, the Peddars Way and the Nar Valley Way bisect the Parish.

The village has a range of historic buildings including the nationally important Priory, Castle, Bailey Gate and the 14th century church. Other listed buildings such as The Ostrich Inn, the Old Foundry and a number of private dwellings contribute to a rich architectural heritage which has led to the designation of the Castle Acre Conservation Area.

The historic sites and the beauty of its setting draw tourists and visitors to the village, as do frequent artistic and cultural events. The surrounding large farms owned by West Acre and Holkham Estates generate traffic, adding to that of residents and visitors on the narrow access roads.

Castle Acre will benefit from a plan that protects and enhances the conservation area and historic landscape, whilst ensuring that existing and proposed development is reflective of the needs of the community. Working within the constraints of the Borough Council's Local Plan and the National Planning Framework, the Neighbourhood Plan for Castle Acre will seek to promote sustainable, practical, functional and sympathetic development that maintains and encourages the retention of the traditional village, and considers the impact on access routes and delivers opportunity and provision for a self-sustaining community.

Why have a Neighbourhood Plan?

Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. They are able to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission for the new buildings they want to see go ahead.

Neighbourhood planning provides a powerful set of tools for local people to ensure that they get the right type of development for their community where the ambition of the neighbourhood is aligned with the strategic needs and priorities of the local area. The procedure requires considerable consultation with residents and also their vote in support in a referendum which occurs towards the end of the process.

Castle Acre Neighbourhood Area   get PDF →

Neighbourhood Area confirmed status   get PDF →

Village map   get PDF →

Conservation Area   get PDF →

Castle Acre facts and figures   get PDF →

Neighbourhood Plan documents

To view the latest documents submitted to the Borough Council in October 2020, please click here
Then click on 'Supporting Documents' to open:
    • BCKLWN Screening Report SEA
    • CA 3 Glebe Field Heritage Impact Assessment
    • CA 3 Traffic Data
    • Basic Conditions Statement
    • Neighbourhood Plan Reg 16 submission
    • Consultation Statement
    • Habitats Regulations Assessment
    • Site Options Assessment
    • Parish Council Housing Needs Assessment
    • Strategic Environmental Assessment

PDFs for download (when available):
 1. Neighbourhood Plan Events   May 2017   April 2018
 2. Consultation Results   get PDF →
 3. Questionnaire Findings   get PDF →
 4. Traffic Survey Results   get PDF →
 5. Referendum Timetable   get PDF →
 6. Referendum Notice   get PDF →
 7. Adopted Neighbourhood Plan   get PDF →