Appeal Against Refused Planning
In 2019 a planning application was made to South Norfolk District for the land to the North of Carpenters Barn (Planning application 2019/0184). This is the field North of what will become Elm Farm, joining the North East corner of Beckets Grove Phase 2 and running alongside the Public Footpath to the East of the Rugby Club.
The planning application was refused in February 2020, the details of which can be seen here. The planners are now appealing the Refusal to the Secretary of State and Planning Inspectorate against South Norfolk District Council. A letter has been sent to anyone who previously raised an objection or comment upon this application, inviting further comment, a copy of the letter can be seen here.
Further comments and objections can be made online at http://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk the case reference number is APP/L2630/W/20/3256206. Alternatively they can be posted to Room 3B Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN.
Key points of consideration…
- Whether benefits of more homes, provision of construction work and increased trade for local businesses outweigh the detrimental effects of further development.
- Further loss of wildlife habitat from the hedgerows around the site particularly effecting birds, bats, hedgehog and other animal populations that have already been substantially effected by development to the North East of Wymondham over the last 12-15 years.
- Further encroachment into the natural field habitats for wildlife particularly effecting areas used by deer’s and foxes.
- Further loss of the rural and natural environment experience enjoyed with outdoor recreational use of the Public footpath that runs the length of the proposed site.
- Continued reduction of the strategic natural gap between Hethersett and Wymondham.
- Provision of affordable homes, 150 homes planned on this site, 60 specified to be affordable (40%). Developers say these are much needed in the area which is refuted by the council who arguably should have a better understanding of what is needed. Elm Farm once complete will have 299 plots of which a third are deemed affordable, 99 homes. Beckets Grove Phase 1 and 2 provided around 20% deemed affordable (135 houses) on the 673 plots developed. A total of 234 deemed affordable homes without considering Whispering Oaks and Oakwood Park developments within a mile of this site which will have contributed more than 100 affordable homes between them.
- Local services have already been stretched by the development of Wymondham over the last 12-15 years. Schools, Doctors, and Dentist capacity have not increased at the same rate as the population of the town.
- Significant concern over surface drainage and water management issues already evident from the work on Elm Farm site. Daily pumping of water has been required into Beckets Grove water management and other neighbouring field ditches even with attenuation in place and minimal development to date. The developer has already been struggling to manage the water on this site. Continued reliance of surrounding developments and historically unmaintained field ditches for drainage will risk future flooding issues.
- A major concern is that developers will use the acceptance of planning on this site as a gateway to further development sites to the East of the Rugby Club running to and along Melton Road. As shown in the illustrative master-plan below. This will further intensify the impacts detailed above and increase the levels of traffic through the existing sites and on local roads.
