West Norfolk: Thousands of homes from Outer Space
CONTROVERSIAL plans have been unveiled for thousands of extra homes in West Norfolk prompting concerns that our area and its infrastructure could be devastated by housing it does not need.
The quiet village of Leziate – which has just 486 people on its electoral roll – could be hardest hit, with an additional 2,800 homes on the cards, while 4,500 are planned at two sites in Downham and a further 2,000 at a site described as "south east of Lynn".
The figures were announced by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) this week and while none of the developments have been confirmed as definitely going ahead, the proposals have caused widespread concern.
North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham was quick to condemn the proposals and EERA when he spoke to the Lynn News.
He said: "I think they are living on another planet. This body is discredited anyway and they just look ridiculous.
"It makes no sense covering Norfolk in concrete and houses. We have plans for thousands of houses that have not been built and we now have the biggest housing slump for many, many years.
"These are poorly-advised figures but this body needs to get a grip of itself and appreciate the world has moved on.
"We are not in a boom economy any more."
'BOMBSHELL'
The news has come as a bombshell to Leziate and Ashwicken Parish Council, with the majority of members only finding out about the proposals at a meeting on Wednesday.
Chairman Cllr Jenny Gray said she was expecting the meeting to be swamped with residents but those who did attend were completely unaware of the situation. She told the Lynn News: "Nobody knew about this until the day of our meeting.
"The whole thing is absolutely ludicrous."
"We are interested in the infrastructure, how will the schools, hospital and roads cope? We are just gob smacked."
Cllr Alistair Beales, who represents Leziate on West Norfolk Council, added: "We work quite closely with Sibelco (the developer) and I am surprised that we had no notice about this whatsoever.
"This is a developer's wish list. The scale will be brought down, if it happens at all, but it is hugely concerning for those who have heard about this for the first time in the papers."
News of the proposal is the second hammer blow for Leziate this year after it was included in controversial plans for new mineral extraction sites in West Norfolk.
EERA invited developers to submit plans for various housing proposals as part of its review of the East of England Plan, which guides housing developments up to 2031.
West Norfolk Council has already earmarked a further 12,000 homes for the region by 2025.
Sibelco UK, the company behind the Leziate proposal, has said community facilities, retail and commercial infrastructure will be included in the scheme.
In Downham, a submission has been made for around 2,500 homes north of the town near the Bexwell Business Park, including new primary and secondary schools, play and open space, affordable housing and contributions towards infrastructure and town centre improvements.
The second Downham development has been proposed on land off Rouse's Lane and the Lynn proposal is based on a triangular area of land between Hardwick roundabout, the A10 and A47.
The proposals come just days after a 20 million "town in a village" plan for up to 136 homes, a medical centre, preschool, pub restaurant, care home and other facilities in Clenchwarton were announced – provoking outrage among local residents.
Should we welcome all new development with open arms, should new development be more measured, or should there be a halt to new building in West Norfolk? Email:malcolm.powell@lynnnews.co.uk or write to Letters to the editor, Lynn News, Limes House, Purfleet Street, King's Lynn, PE30 1HL or leave a comment below
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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