Year-long Wortwell homes application near pub rejected by South Norfolk Council

Controversial plans to build five homes in Wortwell, which were submitted in October 2023, have been refused.

The applicant, Teresa Riches, was looking to build on grassland west of Low Road.

The proposal to build on the site, near to The Wortwell Bell pub, was refused by South Norfolk Council which cited a number of reasons for its rejection.

In the council’s decision letter, it said: “The proposed development would represent an unacceptable intrusion of built form into the open countryside, eroding a section of the undeveloped gap between the two distinctly separate parts of the village of Wortwell (High Road and Low Road).

“It would therefore have a detrimental impact on the rural character of the village and begin to encroach on the Waveney Rural River Valley landscape.”

The council also said the homes would be too close to the outdoor area of the Grade II listed pub and once it reopened – it closed earlier this year – there could be a “conflict” over noise.

The plans also received objections from residents and the parish council.

One resident said the development would be “at odds with the character and centre of Wortwell”.

They added: “The entrance/exit to the development off the High Road is narrow and immediately adjacent to the turn into the pub car park, which is close to turnings into the Low Road and Tunbeck Close. The area will become a traffic hazard.”

Another villager said flooding would be an issue.

They said: “The tarmac access to the development and replacement of existing farmland with the erection of these dwellings will remove natural drainage and will further increase the risk of flooding along Low Road.

“Flooding immediately adjacent to the proposed site on Low Road is already pronounced and residents there are under threat of water entering their properties.”

In 2018, the same applicant put in plans for four self-build dwellings on the land and was refused by the council for similar concerns.