Norwich Airport has submitted a planning application for up to 120,000 square meters of new development at Imperial Park, located on the north side of the airport.

The application, which was the subject of public consultation over the summer, has been submitted to Norwich City Council and Broadland District Council.

The plans seek to renew the planning consent obtained for Imperial Park in 2020, with an increased amount of proposed total floorspace, from 95,000 square metres to 120,000 square metres. Consistent with the previous consent, the floorspace will be split equally between aviation related development and general employment development.

The increase responds to a desire by local authorities to see land safeguarded for aviation uses, and national and local planning policies to make the best use of brownfield land.

The application is mostly in outline for 37 hectares of land, with detailed proposals for a new access off Broadland Northway immediately to the north.

The vision for Imperial Park is for a high quality and well-serviced commercial hub that can meet the needs of aviation related and non-aviation businesses, whilst adding to the local economy through supporting economic growth.

An economic impact assessment to accompany the application has calculated that the site has the potential to support over 3,000 jobs, adding £54.6m a year to the local economy.

Richard Pace, managing director of Norwich Airport, said: “Imperial Park is an exciting opportunity to become a major employment centre for Norwich and the wider economy, with extensive frontage to the A1270 Broadland Northway.

“The principle of developing Imperial Park for quality jobs has been established and it’s been recognised that new commercial development is what will kick-start this key strategic employment site, as we start to recover from the impact of the pandemic on air travel and aviation related industries.”

A decision on the planning application is expected before the end of the year.