Villagers say 550-home scheme risks urban sprawl

3 hours ago

Owen SennittNorfolk

An artist's impression shows what the 550-home estate could look like, planned for the southern outskirts of Cromer

Innova Consulting Ltd An artist's impression shows a digital image of what the housing estate could look like, displaying a mixture of homes and roads around the estate. — An artist's impression shows what the 550-home estate could look like, planned for the southern outskirts of Cromer

People living in neighbouring villages to a coastal town worry a 550-home estate will create "urban sprawl" in their communities.

Plans for the scheme on the outskirts of Cromer have been recommended to be approved at a North Norfolk District Council planning meeting on Thursday.

But Roughton Parish Council is among the 155 objectors opposing the project and have called it "unacceptable" as it will encroach upon the rural environment.

Other concerns include the increase of traffic to the area, along what some residents have described as "already dangerous roads".

The homes will be built to the south of Cromer, sparking concerns it will create "urban sprawl"

Google Maps A satellite image showing fields, areas of housing and the sea. An area of land where the homes would be built is outlined in red. — The homes will be built to the south of Cromer, sparking concerns it will create "urban sprawl"

Cromer Town Council, Northrepps Parish Council and Roughton Parish Council have all objected to the plans to build on the land west of Pine Tree Farm, off Norwich Road.

Roughton council said the estate is described as being in Cromer in the plans, but claims it is in fact within the Roughton village boundary.

Cromer and Northrepps councils both said the scheme would bring an "unacceptable" amount of traffic to the area and could cause "dangerous" conditions.

The plans have been lodged by Innova Consulting Ltd, an engineering firm specialising in renewable energy projects.

Accommodation for the elderly and a playing field is part of the application.

The estate would be built within a protected national landscape, according to council officers.

Planners said in a report that development in these areas should be "resisted unless exceptional circumstances apply". However they said the scheme is "justified as it will help meet the council's housing needs".

It was also noted in the report that the site is "the primary housing allocation" in the North Norfolk Local Plan.

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