New business units approved in South Creake despite objections from neighbours

Planning permission has been granted for 11 new industrial units in South Creake - despite opposition from neighbours.

The site, at The Common, will be close to an existing business park - and also has four homes and a campsite nearby.

The application was first submitted by South Creake Business Park in September last year, and it was approved earlier this week after a lengthy consultation period.

The site is currently a vacant grassland which was previously used for vegetable processing.

It will now become home to 11 “energy-efficient” commercial business units, which are targeting business owners who need “more or different sized units.”

Neighbours objected to the application for a number of reasons.

Their main concern was that there would be more traffic on the unequipped local roads. They argued that they are “not designed for heavy or high-frequency use”.

The nearby junction, where Pine Drove meets the B1355, was also an area of concern as traffic has already proved troublesome for residents. One even said: “It is just a matter of time before there is an accident”.

The owner of nearby Sunnydene Farm and Campsite, David Gospel, expressed concerns about the noise from the development. He said that he was worried about the impact this could have on his business.

In a comment made last October, Mr Gospel said: “If the noise is not kept down I will lose customers.”

More recently in April, he said: “The proposed development will affect my customers thus reducing my income also it will lower the value of my property.”

South Creake Parish Council, however, supported the development, saying that it would bring extra work and businesses into the village.

Norfolk County Council’s highways department had no objections to the application, stating that a reduced speed limit along one road has already contributed to improved safety.

West Norfolk Council subsequently deemed the plans suitable for approval.

The developer has three years to build the units before planning permission would be need to be sought again.

Reporting by Emily Jordan