The consultation will be held in St Michael’s Reepham from 2–7 pm on Thursday 12 December – the day of the general election.
 
Residents and local businesses are invited to find out more about the project and discuss it with the company’s directors. There will also be representatives from the architects and developers in attendance.
 
Earlier this year Original Cottages directors Richard and James Ellis announced that the business would outgrow its current premises in Bank House in Reepham’s Market Place within two to three years and wanted to find a suitable site for a larger purpose-built office.
 
The summer has seen detailed discussions with their chosen architects, the Dereham Road site’s vendors and planning authorities, resulting in some early thoughts, which they would like to discuss with residents and other businesses.
 
James Ellis is keen to ensure that anyone affected by the proposed development has a chance to give their views.
 
“We want to give reassurance to everyone in Reepham that our intentions are good – that we want to do what’s positive for Reepham and its long-term sustainability,” he said.
 
“We genuinely welcome feedback from all parts of the community. Hopefully, if people pop to the Bircham Centre to vote during the consultation times, they will take the opportunity to come to St Michael’s to see us too.”
 
A website is now operational giving details of the project and providing updates, and also includes a contact form to give those unable to attend the consultation a chance to pass on their views.
 
Initial ideas include:

• access will be via a new entrance road off Dereham Road
• ample parking for staff, both now and in the foreseeable future
• a two-storey building sited at the back of the plot, which will not be visible to anyone using Smugglers Lane or the vast majority of its residents
• the design and materials used will be appropriate to the setting, with high environmental standards for the building and surrounding landscaping
• a portion of the site alongside the Smugglers Lane border will be allocated to allow for future expansion of Reepham Surgery, protecting the land for its future needs
• the project is likely to take two to three years to complete

See our earlier stories:

• Cottage company plans new building in Reepham
• Proposed new office development for Original Cottages
• The Original Cottage Company moves to Bank House