'Prison block' gets reluctant go-ahead
CONTROVERSIAL plans for 69 affordable homes in Downham have been given the go ahead, despite widespread condemnation of their design.
Planning chiefs at West Norfolk Council have approved Persimmon Homes’ application to build the flats and houses on four tranches of land at the Broadland Estate, after twice refusing previous applications on the grounds of poor design and layout.
The latest application scaled down the proposed number of homes from 78 to 69 after criticisms of overcrowding, and the developer warned funding for the project could be lost unless work was started this month.
Despite eventually approving the application on Monday, many members of the council’s development control board felt they were “between a rock and a hard place” and raised serious concerns about the standard of design.
Opposing the development, Downham town councillor Pam Sharp told the meeting: “We still feel that tranche four is unimaginative, unattractive and undesirable.”
Mrs Sharp said the “un-neighbourly” development was “overly large and cramped” and failed to provide any open spaces.
The borough council received 96 letters opposing the scheme raising concerns ranging from loss of privacy and over-development, to the feared devaluation of neighbouring properties.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Zipha Christopher said: “Where is there any style or design? That is a prison block.”
She said: “I fail to see why people should be stuck in housing that has been so badly designed. It makes me so cross, people who live in affordable housing want to live in nice homes, not a prison.”
But Councillor Mick Peak argued: “We must not forget they are affordable houses. We cannot make them like palaces or else they won’t be affordable. If we are not careful we will not have any on this site.”
Former West Norfolk Mayor Trevor Manley said the board was “between a rock and a hard place” and he still felt the design could be improved.
Councillor Anthony Lovett added the development “could be better,” but there was a desperate need for affordable homes.
“As a ward member I have to deal with people who have nowhere to live and to them, a one-bedroom flat is like a palace,” he added.
Councillor Andrew Morrison said the development was “a time bomb of design,” but the board had a responsibility to provide affordable housing.
The homes are to be built on land at Lansdeer Drive, Linseed Walk, Coriander Way and Basil Drive and mark the final stage in the development at Broadlands estate, to the north-east of the town.
Planning permission was granted in 2000 on the condition the estate provided affordable homes.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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