Breckland Council accused of refusing 44-home development in Swaffham on ‘spurious grounds’

A council has been accused of refusing a 44-home countryside development on “spurious grounds”.

Plans for new housing on the western side of South Pickenham Road in Swaffham remain in the balance due to an appeal lodged with the Planning Inspectorate.

The proposals have been twice refused by Breckland Council due to concerns about the impact new housing would have on the landscape.

But the developer, Parker Planning Services, believes the authority has been repeatedly harsh in its decision-making and is now bidding to see this overturned.

A spokesman said: “We believe this application was refused on spurious grounds and have nevertheless sought to provide additional information and evidence.

“The site is not special or protected in any way and has no conservation or heritage impacts.”

The application was refused for the first time in December 2022, and blocked again almost exactly one year on – with council officers describing the plans as “visually intrusive” on the countryside setting when approaching Swaffham.

The Planning Inspectorate is now set to decide whether the correct decision was made.