It takes all sorts of people to make a community and it is important to attract a broad cross section of society. There will be a wide range of light and spacious houses and apartments enabling people from all walks of life to make their homes here. From young singles just starting out to growing families and empty nesters looking for a retirement haven, Coltishall’s choice of eco-friendly housing will provide every opportunity for the community to thrive.

The two main factors that govern environmental sustainability; the amount of resource taken from the natural world to build and operate the development, and the waste and pollution resulting from the use of these resources. At RAF Coltishall, the design and layout of buildings and open spaces will minimise these impacts through effective protection of the environment and prudent management of resources.

Power will be provided by renewable energy techniques including biomass fuelled CHP and wind turbines. Buildings will incorporate the latest cutting edge techniques to maximise solar gain, minimise heat loss, provide natural light and ventilation, reduce water consumption and maximise the potential to recycle. Grey water will be cleaned naturally by the wetland reed beds and rain water will be harvested through swales and natural drainage channels. Allotment land will be made available so that residents can grow their own organic food and the need to travel will be reduced by providing a good mix of facilities on site. Good environmental stewardship will be encouraged and homeowners will be provided with information packs to ensure they make best use of these eco features.

On a national scale the cost of running a business is rising. In and around city centres premises rental, transport issues and the higher costs of employment and general living costs put a great deal of pressure on businesses. Over the past decade relocation of businesses out of city centres and into more affordable areas has increased. We believe RAF Coltishall is ideally placed to capitalise on this phenomena - its attractive green setting and high quality living environment providing an ideal location for a new business and technology park able to attract first rate companies.

Other employment opportunities will also be created for both skilled and unskilled workers to take full advantage of the resident’s potential., including the types of employment which were lost when RAF Coltishall closed. The amount of construction work is obvious, but there will also be teachers, park rangers, shop workers, caterers, cleaners, doctors, groundsmen, ecologists, care staff and maintenance workers to name but a few. We also envisage a range of training opportunities, not least in local building crafts and wetland management.

On a global scale, wetlands are under significant pressure and the Norfolk Broads are no different. The Broads are home to the largest protected wetland in Britain, however wildlife that thrived for centuries in the wet marshes and fen has disappeared as the habitat has been neglected, changed and lost. The redevelopment of RAF Coltishall offers a rare opportunity - the chance to create a new Broad and wetland from scratch. Having complete control over its design will ensure that relationships between habitats are complimentary, that biodiversity is maximised and that the Broad is of benefit to both humans and wildlife.

A great deal of detailed work would be required by specialists in the ecology and management of the Broads to arrive at the final design, and the illustration (right) is intended only to give a flavour of what could be achieved.

As an airbase, RAF Coltishall has a long and illustrious history, including being home to Douglas Bader, the Battle of Britain hero. Although none of the buildings have been deemed worthy of listing, we believe it is important to retain visual links that celebrate its past. Maintaining these links gives communities a sense of continuity - engendering pride in their shared history and bringing a sense of belonging.

It is not only built heritage that makes these connections. The British landscape is full of clues to its past and the Broads area is rich in history ; hedgerows and field boundaries, windmills and water towers, even the Broads themselves provide links with Norfolk’s past which resonate with us now.

The primary school gates often function as the heart of the community - a place where children and parents make friends and learn the latest news. With this in mind, it is critical to integrate the schools as much as possible - by locating them in the heart of neighbourhoods close to other facilities, and by designing them to be multi purpose. School halls and gymnasia can double as community halls out of hours, playing fields can be used by kids groups at weekends and IT facilities could potentially be used for adult education. As a rule of thumb, 5,000 new homes is likely to generate a need for three primary schools.