By-pass must come before homes are built in West Winch, county councillor urges

West Winch must have a by-pass before any more development is carried out – that’s the demand of local county councillor Alexandra Kemp and the parish council.

Twenty-four people attended Tuesday’s parish council to demand a public meeting on proposals to build 300 homes on a site opposite the Winch Pub, with an access on to the A10.

Ms Kemp was shocked to be told by county council officials that they do not consider 300 homes a major development, and therefore should be allowed to go ahead before a by-pass is built.

However, Highways England have blocked development along the A10 because it says the road is already at capacity.

Residents too are concerned with those living off Long Lane explaining they have to exit before 9am during the summer to have any chance of accessing on ot the A10.

While Gravel Lane residents claim it can take at least 15 minutes to get on to the A10 during busy commuter times with traffic tailed back between Setchey and the Hardwick roundabout.

Ms Kemp said: “The A10 is just chaotic and really must be looked at before any more houses are built.

“They want to build these big developments piecemeal so the companies involved don’t have to pay towards a by-pass.

“They are happy for the public sector to pay while they enjoy huge profits from the houses – and that’s wrong.

“People will not want to relocate here if they cannot get around easily and it is also damaging economic growth because businesses are put off coming to Lynn because of the poor transport links.

“The focus has always been on the A47 with the campaign to make that dual carriageway, but the A10 should not be neglected. The planning inspector in 2015 wanted to know about infrastructure proposals, the timings and who was going to pay for it – there were no plans then and there are no plans now.

“Lynn borough council organised a public meeting for February 5 and only invited two parish councillors, that is not good enough. The parish council is now holding a public meeting for residents on February 2 at the village hall.

“The county council is trying to argue with Highways England that it is possible to build 300 homes and that it is not a significant development, those kind of decisions are being made by council officials behind closed doors and it is not acceptable.

“I hope residents will make their views heard on this vital subject.”