36 Gayton homes could be approved despite overpopulation concerns

A developer’s bid to build 36 village homes is set for approval despite a volley of objections from within the community who worry the population is growing too quickly.

Residents in Gayton have complained that key services like the doctor’s surgery, the sewage network and roads are already over capacity due to the recent increase in homes in the area.

This comes as officers have recommended the housing scheme, to be built on land that forms part of Manor Farm off Back Street, is approved by councillors at the West Norfolk Council planning committee meeting next week.

This includes seven affordable homes.

The development already has a chequered history, as a previous attempt to build 46 homes was blocked after the Planning Inspectorate – the Government department which presides over planning disputes – ruled this would cause overdevelopment in the village.

Gayton Investments, the firm behind the project, has since reduced the number of homes it wishes to build by ten.

Villagers still worry about the effect the new homes will have.

The borough council has received 31 letters of objection in which people claim the nearest GP surgery in Grimston is already over-prescribed, resulting in long waits for appointments.

Other concerns include Back Street being unable to cope with the increased traffic and that the nearby sewage works already frequently floods as it struggles to cope with demand.

Despite these concerns, there have been no objections submitted by the statutory consultees like Anglian Water, Norfolk County Council’s highways team or Gayton Parish Council.

However, the borough council did have some concerns and suggested a number of conditions to help protect the environment.

Planning officers have recommended the scheme is approved providing a Section 106 agreement – the mitigation measures agreed by the developer to support the project – is agreed.