South Norfolk Village Clusters Housing Allocations Plan (Reg. 19 Pre-submission Draft)

The Parish Council wish to record that, as a village, we are not against development, but stress that it should be in agreement with both the needs of the village and the South Norfolk Council. During the last round of housing allocations, we were “allocated 12” and actually received 30 as a result of the Blacksmiths Gardens development. This represented roughly a 10% increase in the number of properties in the village – rising to 342 as a result. We therefore would argue that, at present, the village does not require further housing.
We would also highlight that both of the proposed site allocations will use the primary route into the village (Beccles Road C516) which will further increase traffic around the notorious problem corner at Hall Farm. This is a blind corner and subject to regular flooding. Highways have repeatedly tried to resolve but every fix is temporary. The Parish Council therefore ask that any agreement for the sites to be taken into planning MUST include a guarantee to provide a long-term solution to the corner.

We wish that the plan reflects the very limited buys service available

The course of Thurlton FP3 must be retained in its existing location and guaranteed to be a safe / open footpath. It is in constant use by local residents for both access to the school and general walkers (including dog walkers).
The Parish Council do not want to see fenced “dark alleys” created which could be a target for crime, nor do the Parish Council wish for street lighting to be installed to try and alleviate this as it would not be in keeping with the rest of the village or with Norfolk’s clear skies policy.

The Parish Council stress that should the site be taken forward any development on this site MUST be sympathetic to the existing properties surrounding (on 3 sides) the proposed location. This should take into account the range of existing home bordering – both bungalows and houses – with regard to light pollution, overlooking and noise pollution.

The Parish Council agree that, should the site be taken forward, all vehicular access to the new site must be via Blacksmiths Gardens.
Further, the existing access to the rear of the properties on Beccles Road MUST be retained, but must be segregated from the Blacksmith Gardens access, and must not be able to provide an alternate access to the site
During any planning phase, detailed consideration must be given to the access for construction traffic to and from the site – especially in light of the impact on FP3 (see earlier comment)
During any planning phase, detailed consideration must be given to the access for agricultural traffic to and from the adjacent fields. Although access is technically possible Blacksmith Gardens, we would ask that consideration is given to enforcing access via the fields adjacent to the area, rather than through the entire estate.
The Parish Council also wish to stress that should 12 houses not be feasible within the allocated site, that the footprint is not simply increased to allow it to fit. The village will have no chance to comment on such proposals, but have experienced exactly that with the existing Blacksmiths Gardens allocation.

The Parish Council also wish to stress that should 12 house not be feasible within the allocated site, that the size/area is not simply increased to allow it to fit. The village will have no chance to comment on such proposals, but have experienced exactly that with the existing Blacksmiths Gardens allocation.

The Parish Council wish to the following in relation to this site
• at present, the village does not require further housing
• the proposed site allocations will use the primary route into the village (Beccles Road C516) which around the notorious problem corner at Hall Farm to which a long-term solution must be provided .
• Thurlton FP3 must be retained in its existing location and guaranteed to be a safe / open footpath
• The Parish Council stress that should the site be taken forward any development on this site MUST be sympathetic to the existing properties surrounding (on 3 sides) the proposed location.
• The Parish Council agree that, should the site be taken forward, all vehicular access to the new site must be via Blacksmiths Gardens.
• Further, the existing access to the rear of the properties on Beccles Road MUST be retained, but must be segregated from the Blacksmith Gardens access, and must not be able to provide an alternate access to the site
• During any planning phase, detailed consideration must be given to the access for construction traffic to and from the site – especially in light of the impact on FP3
• During any planning phase, detailed consideration must be given to the access for agricultural traffic to and from the adjacent fields.
• The Parish Council also wish to stress that should 12 house not be feasible within the allocated site, that the size/area is not simply increased to allow it to fit.

In addition to the 2016 application, 2 further applications were submitted to extend development on the site (2018/2593 & 2018/2594), but were subsequently withdrawn. However, in both cases Highways raised significant concerns about the standard of roadway through the development and the access to Beccles Road. In light of these the Parish Council ask that all 8 of the comments/recommendations from highways are considered again.

The Parish Council are extremely concerned with the access for the proposed site, based on the allocation. As highlighted the site slopes downwards East to South-West, meaning the access to Beccles Road will be also be sloped. For the proposed target of 15 houses (~30 cars) this is a significant risk accessing the Beccles Road. We also agree with highways that access to the site via Sandy Lane to the South should not be permitted
In addition to the 2016 application, 2 further applications were submitted to extend development on the site (2018/2593 & 2018/2594), but were subsequently withdrawn. However, in both cases Highways raised significant concerns about the standard of roadway through the development and the access to Beccles Road. In light of these the Parish Council ask that all 8 of the comments/recommendations from highways are considered again.

The Parish Council wish to state that, should the site be taken forward, the protection of the wildlife habitats, trees and the pond are given priority. This area is a bio-diverse environment and should be maintained as such