Too urban for Downham
Plans for 249 homes in Downham have been sent back to the drawing board after planning chiefs slammed their design.
Country and Metropolitan Homes hoped to build the houses, along with a creche, three shops and access roads, to the south of Railway Road, but the scheme was scrapped at a West Norfolk Council development control board meeting on Monday.
The developer believes the scheme would introduce new facilities to the town and make good use of underused land.
But board members felt the development, which proposed a number of three and four-storey houses, was out of keeping with the surrounding area and would have an unacceptable impact on neighbouring homes.
An earlier application was withdrawn after highways officials raised concerns about road links and the latest plans again attracted widespread opposition from a number of sources.
Downham Town Council objected on a number of grounds, believing the development – especially the proposed four-storey homes – would be too large, oppressive and overbearing.
It believes the site exceeds the maximum density of 50 homes per hectare stated in Government guidelines but, in a letter to West Norfolk Council, the applicant's agent said the number of houses was made clear at an earlier stage, when the plans were giving outline permission.
There are also fears the development could impact on neighbouring nature reserve The Willows and there have been calls for a full environmental assessment.
Downham and District Heritage Trust said the development would lead to the deterioration of the nature reserve, which should be screened by high walls or fencing.
And highways officials raised a number of issues about the road layout, and were particularly concerned about the low number of car-parking spaces, which could lead to kerb-side parking.
Councillor Paul Burrall said the design, not the density, of the homes was problematic and "not nearly good enough".
The application was refused on the grounds the development would result in loss of privacy and have an overbearing impact on neighbouring homes.
It was felt the large number of three and four-storey buildings, limited landscaping and a lack of open space would create a "hard, urban environment" not in keeping with the area.
Does expanding Downham need this scale of development? What do you think?
The editor, Lynn News, Limes House, Purfleet Street, King's Lynn, PE30 1HL; email malcolm.powell@lynnnews.co.uk; leave a comment on the story below or text LYNNNEWS followed by a space and then your message including your name (max 160 characters) and send to 82189. Texts cost 25p plus normal network rates. If you do not want to receive details on other products or services, text EXIT at the end of your message.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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