West Raynham housing plans to be shared but council remains ‘bitterly disappointed’
The West Raynham site. Pictures: FW Properties - Credit: Archant
A housing developer has said they are looking forward to sharing their plans with residents after their controversial planning application for 94 new homes was given the go-ahead.
The West Raynham site. Pictures: FW Properties - Credit: Archant
The proposal for new homes on a former RAF base in West Raynham was recommended for approval by North Norfolk District Council’s development committee on April 19.
The decision came despite objections from parish councillors and the Highways Authority, who wrote in a letter that the “substandard highway network” in West Raynham makes the location unacceptable and the impact would be “severe”.
Further criticisms were made over the fact that none of the homes have been allocated as affordable housing.
Developer FW Properties Ltd has agreed to provide £200,000 towards highways improvements at the site and said they are now looking at how working out a timeline for how the project will move forward and will soon share those plans with the community.
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“We are very pleased that North Norfolk District Council has given us the go ahead to build 94 new infill properties at West Raynham,” said co-director Ian Fox.
“Over the next two months we will be working closely with our professional colleagues to firm up our timeline and the exact scope of work for The Kiptons and Orchard residential developments and public areas.
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“We’re looking forward to being able to share our plans with residents and the wider community during the summer, and to providing much needed family homes for the people of Norfolk.”
Almost half of the new homes will be built in an area regarded as part of Hellhoughton village and the parish council said they are “bitterly disappointed” by the decision to green light the development.
“I cannot understand how the district council can go against planning policy and against the damning report by highways,” said Jean Freeman, chair of the parish council.
“Helhoughton is like a rat run, our roads are too narrow and cars cannot pass in places with bends on Fakenham road. There is also a blind bend on the bridge over the river Wensum.”
Ms Freeman also said the committee had commented on the potential loss of money for the developer if the application was turned down, stating “this is not a planning issue”.
MORE: Full steam ahead to regenerate former Norfolk RAF site
