Fakenham homes plan rejected due to tree concerns

A bid to build extra homes off a lane in Fakenham has been refused because it would have harmed protected trees.

Plans to put two houses on the grounds of Lavengro in Heath Lane had drawn objections from the town council and 18 neighbours.

North Norfolk District Council’s development control committee heard that a previous plan was refused because of road safety concerns.

But amended plans to add an extra access driveway affected trees including a horse chestnut and lime covered by tree preservation orders.

Residents’ spokesman David Thomas told the committee there were also concerns that the scheme, which would result in five homes on the site, would create a “mini estate” which would be out of character with the other half-acre plots with just one house on each, and cause extra road safety problems on the narrow unmade lane.

Councillors agreed to turn down the plan because of the tree and highway concerns.