Earmarked site for livestock market abandoned

Plans to move a city's livestock market that dates from the Anglo-Saxon period to a new site have been dropped by a council.

Norwich City Council had plans to relocate the market from Hall Road to farmland 15 miles (24km) away by Fox Lane at North Tuddenham, near Dereham.

Campaigners had raised concerns over traffic and road safety if the market was relocated to the village and the authority has since abandoned the project, adding it has another "preferred site".

A spokesperson for the council said: "The contract awarded for the work to relocate the livestock market is not site-specific and is ongoing."

Vicky Turner, North Tuddenham Parish Council's clerk, said: "This news has been well-received by North Tuddenham Parish Council, who have been working in preparation for any pending planning application, and our residents are relieved that the market relocation to the village will not take place."

The market started off in the Tombland area of Norwich before it relocated to the Mancroft area shortly after 1066.

By the 1300s it was selling fish, meat, cloth, vegetables, shoes and livestock and in 1738 a separate livestock market was created to reduce congestion.

Hall Road has been home to the market since the 1960s.

Original plans for the market at the North Tuddenham location also included an overnight lorry park, business and industrial units and other facilities in order to make the project viable for the future.

Farmers involved in the plans had praised the site as being central and easily accessible.

While the authority has not disclosed the location of the new site that was being considered, previous speculation included Postwick, the Norfolk Showground or the Food Enterprise Park near Honingham, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Plans have been in motion to relocate the market after the existing site at Hall Road required extensive repairs estimated to cost up to £3m.

A council spokesman said: "We have looked at a number of potential sites to relocate the livestock market.

"We now have a preferred site which will be subject to further detailed assessments and engagement with key stakeholders, including the local community."

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