Plans for homes on 'eyesore' site in West Norfolk village ‘in limbo’

The site of a former community centre in Dersingham, owned by the Sandringham Estate, has become an “eyesore”, according to residents.

Officials have said the future of the site on Manor Road is currently in “limbo”, as a planning application for 10 homes – which was submitted to West Norfolk Council’s planning committee in August of last year – is currently still waiting to be heard.

An earlier application, for nine homes, was rejected by the committee on the basis that there were not enough dwellings included in the plans.

Permission has, however, previously been granted for the demolition of the building, which dates back to the late 19th/early 20th century when it was a primary school.

The building has not been used for about 10 years, and a new village centre, also on Manor Road, opened in October last year.

A spokesperson for the parish council said they understood that the plans were currently “in limbo”.

Meanwhile, Tony Bubb, borough councillor for Dersingham and planning committee member, said they were “waiting to hear” from the estate before the application moves into its next stages.

A resident of the village, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Nothing has happened, it’s becoming more and more of an eyesore.”

“It’s just a mess,” she added.

“It’s a lovely village. My children used to go to the play group, and later on my boy went to the youth club, but they were all closed down.”

She said she has spoken to the Sandringham Estate about the site in the past, but “all they do is send someone over to chop the weeds down”.

“Even this has not been done of late,” she added.

And Judith Collingham, another borough councillor for Dersingham, agreed that the site was a blot on the landscape.

“I agree, it’s an eyesore. I don’t think anyone could not think so in our lovely village,” she said.

Mrs Collingham said she believed there may have also been some issues regarding access to the site.

And documents included in the planning application say the building “severely limits” visibility for cars emerging from Doddshill Road.

The Sandringham Estate was approached for comment, but a response had not been received at the time of going to press.