Harleston, near Diss sees 461-home project approved by South Norfolk Council despite concerns

Controversial plans to build hundreds of homes on the outskirts of a Norfolk community have been given the go-ahead, despite local concerns that the scheme will adversely affect town.

The proposals to construct 461 properties on 67 acres of land on the edge of Harleston were approved by South Norfolk Council on Wednesday.

The scheme also includes plans for open public spaces, allotments and four acres of land for community use.

Of the homes, 258 will be classed as affordable, while 107 will be flats and bungalows, earmarked for people aged over 55. As part of a linked scheme, a new Lidl could also be built.

In objections lodged with the council, 25 people argued the town’s roads, doctors, dentists and schools would not be able to cope with so many new residents.

The scheme, brought forward by Saffron Housing Trust, would bring a significant population increase to the area, which had just 4,600 people in the 2011 census.

Steve Tricker, 65, of Mendham Lane, which is next to the development site, warned the project would kill the town, arguing it would create too many homes for the infrastructure available.

“I appreciate the need for houses but this is too many,” he said. “They are talking about hundreds of homes and then a Lidl as well. It just feels like it is going to kill the town.

“You can’t get a dentist, the doctors are at breaking point. I know people who can’t get their children into the local school.”

But Saffron has always maintained the scheme has been rigorously evaluated and, at Wednesday’s meeting, councillors unanimously approved the plans.

Conservative councillor Lisa Neal said: “It’s nice to see a mix like this. We know we need the extra care flats for an ageing population but they still want to be independent. You’ve got the bungalows, the affordable housing and allotments.”

Cllr Neal said she was pleased to see the development feature such a large proportion of affordable homes, something the council normally has to require developers to provide.

Independent councillor Clayton Hudson supported her comments: “What’s winning it for me is the delivery of affordable housing – 258 of the 461 – that’s over 50 per cent.

“Who am I to turn that down at a time when affordable housing is absolutely needed?”

Saffron has pledged to provide financial contributions to deliver improvements to local infrastructure and services through a community infrastructure levy – a charge put in place to be spent in the local area.