Keswick and Intwood Parish Council

The rural Parish of Keswick and Intwood came into existence in Saxon times and on 23 October 1598 were united ecclesiastically under a Deed of Consolidation.

Situated some three miles south of Norwich city centre they extend to 552 hectares (1,364 acres) and in 2001 had a population of 431, split as 200 males and 231 females in 248 households with 360 having electoral voting rights. Keswick accounts for 93% of the population of which 67% reside at Keswick New Hall which comprises 186 residences, many tenanted, as is the Hall itself being occupied by some nine small office type businesses.

Intwood has only thirteen households with no amenities or utilities apart from electricity and telephone lines.  Each part of the Parish has a church and Keswick has a small Reading Room. The Parishes are unique compared to many Norfolk villages as they do not have any public amenities such as shops, post office or public house.  The Parish manages adequately due in the main to its close proximity to the city of Norwich and amenities in the neighbouring Parishes.

Keswick and Intwood is:

  • within a mile of the A47, Norwich’s Southern by-pass affording excellent East to west links and a similar distance from the two main roads leading south from Norwich, namely the A140 to Ipswich and the A11 to Thetford and London;
  • close to two Park and ride facilities one on the boundary of each village with traditional bus services passing through the parish;
  • near to shopping facilities – on the eastern boundary there is a large supermarket open 7 days a week for 24 hours (apart from Sunday) and nearby there is another supermarket, estate agents, home furnishing and other typical high street outlets; and
  • has doctors and school facilities available nearby.
 

A140 Harford River Bridge – Bridge Deck Joint Replacement

Maintenance repair works are programmed to start on Harford River Bridge on 27th February 2012 and expected to last for about three weeks.  The bridge is located on Ipswich Road leading out of Norwich, some 100m south of the Marsh Harrier public house.

The works will be carried out by Norfolk County Council , Environment, Transport and Development Partnership, which will include the replacement of both bridge deck expansion joints and minor remedial work to the east footway. 

In order to complete these works a single lane closure is required.  The works will be carried out between the hours of 20.00 and 06.00 which should cause only minimal disruption to road users and pedestrians.  Temporary traffic lights will control the traffic and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

 

Residential Development: Low Road

Residents are invited to a meeting where proposals for a residential development adjacent to the track leading to Fir Hill on Low Road will be displayed. 

The intention of the Fir Hill site would be to create a community development of approximately 16 units in a rural setting.  It would provide a range of housing types from detached and semi-detached dwellings for the open market, through to 2 and 3 bed homes and 1 bed flats to satisfy the affordable housing needs of the Parish.  The proposal includes the creation of a small community space adjacent to the Reading Room, offering parishioners a low key play area and access to a section of the meadows.  The aspiration is to join together the “linear” and cluster facets of the village whilst retaining traditional design features, local materials and the emotional signatures that define Keswick.

The meeting will take place on Monday 12th December between 5pm and 7pm at the Reading Room.  More information can be obtained from sarah.long@tlp.uk.com

 

Rural Bus Reduction Proposals

Linked to the need for a fair funding deal for concessionary fares, proposed changes in rural transport services, aimed at saving £500,000 in 2012 -13, have been published by Norfolk County Council for consultation with passengers and local communities.  The Parish will be affected by recommended changes to the First 10B and Anglian 10B for fewer Sunday and evening (after 8pm) journeys.  You can contribute to the consultation by filing your comments online at www.norfolk.gov.uk  The consultation runs until the end of November.  The County Council will then review its proposals before making final recommendations for inclusion in the 2012 – 13 budget.

 

Next Parish Council Meeting.

The next Parish Council meeting will take place at the Reading Room on Wednesday 23rd November at 19.00 hrs.  All members of the public and press are welcome.  The Agenda for the meeting will be published in the Meetings (Agendas) section of this website one week before.

 

Information about the Council

Information about the Council’s activities (including meeting agendas and minutes) is posted on notice boards at the Reading Room, Intwood Church, and Keswick New Hall. Copies of documents covered by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 can be obtained in electronic or printed form depending on format availability from the Clerk – details are contained in the Annual Report which describes the classes of information published.

Information points located in the vestibule of Intwood church and the foyer of Quintin Gurney House at Keswick New Hall have copies of the latest minutes, the Annual Report and other general information.