Norwich Livestock Market consultation

A brief bit of history

Norwich's livestock market has been trading on a site close to Hall Road since the 1960s and is now one of the last trading markets within East Anglia. There are around 600 livestock farms across Norfolk and Norwich livestock market provides an important facility for farmers from across Norfolk, Suffolk and the wider East Anglia region.

Norwich City Council has a statutory responsibility to ‘provide, regulate and maintain a market’ within the city boundary by virtue of the Norwich City Council Act 1984.

Background

The council is leaseholder of the 3.25 acre site and is responsible for most of the repair liability. Detailed survey work has now shown that the repair work is extensive, reflecting the age of the facility and the need to introduce modern biosecurity and animal welfare standards which all markets must comply with.

Work includes the demolition of a former auction building, removal of asbestos across the site, refurbishment of the current auction building and major work to the parking areas and roadways.

The extent of this work, the operational restrictions which control what the market can undertake on the site and the lack of parking for large agricultural vehicles means further investment in the site would not provide value for money.

The viability of relocating the market elsewhere within the city boundary has also been considered but higher land values and its potential proximity to existing commercial and residential uses means this is not feasible in a manner consistent with delivering value for money.

The council’s plans for the livestock market

The council is working closely with the market operator, its shareholders and the National Farmers Union who represent the interests of the wider farming community. Feedback confirms that in line with other market relocations around the country, livestock producers highlight a preference for a relocation outside the city boundary near major transport routes such as the A11 or A47.

To address these issues, the council is considering the relocation of the market to a new site outside the city boundary. This would maintain access to a local market, allow the introduction of new systems to meet new environmental requirements, reduce food miles, increase local food provenance, and increase food security at a time when there is more global uncertainty around food chains.

The relevance of Norwich livestock market is further highlighted by the fact that the next closest markets are in Kent and Leicestershire, a considerable distance away for livestock producers.

As the council has a statutory responsibility to maintain a livestock market, a relocation outside the city boundary will require an amendment to the existing 1984 act. This can be achieved by way of a new private bill. This is a formal legal process which requires the council to carry out a public consultation exercise.

Pursuing a change in law

The council has appointed a parliamentary agent to manage the private bill’s passage through parliament. The new private bill must be deposited in parliament by 27 November this year to ensure it secures parliamentary time during 2024-2025.

The private bill is proposed, subject to the outcome of this consultation, to ensure that any new market will be equivalent to the existing market and be within proximity of the existing facility and close to the A11 or A47 to ensure livestock producers can continue to have access to a local market.

The private bill is also proposed to set out general details of the new market, including its size, design, location and general operational requirements.

The site of the new market has not yet been determined – but any new site would have to comply with the parameters placed in the new private bill and there would be a separate planning application which itself would be subject to further public consultation. However, a new site cannot be taken forward until the restriction within the current 1984 act has been removed.

How you can be involved

We would really like to hear your views on this important subject so please take a few minutes to answer some questions so we can take your feedback on board. Following the consultation, the council will vote on this matter on 15 October 2024.