Dereham: Plans for 89 new homes approved by Breckland

Breckland Council has given permission for the houses on a patch of intensively-farmed arable land on the southern edge of Toftwood, Dereham.

The scheme is an addition to a previously approved development for another 291 homes off Shipdham Road, with the new houses designed to 'slot in'.

Ahead of a meeting discussing the application, planning officials at Breckland Council recommended the scheme for approval, despite 146 people signing two petitions against the plans. 

Tony Needham, clerk of Dereham Town Council, told the committee it was less of a 'slot-in' application and more a "cram them in application", arguing the homes were far too densely packed in.

Tony Needham (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2015)

But Terry Harper, an agent for the developer, insisted it met with the council's policies for low-density development.

READ MORE: Hundreds of home agreed for Norfolk town

Mr Needham and several councillors also questioned the wisdom of County Hall's officials who have said the development will not create traffic issues in the area.  

Independent councillor Roger Atterwill said: “I’m sick and tired of Norfolk County Council letting us get away with these piecemeal developments in Dereham where we don’t seem to have any masterplan [for traffic].”

Roger Atterwill (Image: Breckland District Council)

Rebecca Collins, a Breckland planning officer, said the combined impact with other developments in town has been considered and stressed the highways authority does not believe the scheme will impact the wider road network.

Conservative councillor Roy Brame said: “We are supposed to be looking at this application on its merits.

"I’m looking at this and I can see nothing that I can argue with the officers for. If we turn this down on non-planning grounds there will probably be an appeal.” 

Councillors were split on the application with the chairman casting the deciding vote in favour.