Plans to build Stiffkey homes in Norfolk beauty spot refused

The plans were submitted in June and included details to build six homes in Stiffkey on half- of a hectare of land.

The applicants, Tom and Laura Abrey, lodged plans to build the homes in Hillcrest off Wells Road. 

The couple's application detailed how the four detached houses and two semi-detached homes would include "associated landscaping".

However, the plans faced strong objections with many of those who submitted letters to the planning portal saying the plans would negatively impact on the area's natural beauty. 

One objector said: "The buildings will not merge with the village's existing aesthetic and thus will be an eyesore.

Some of the objectors said the plans would encroach on the neighbouring homes. (Image: Google Maps) "The land in question is a large site for nature and building on it would destroy many natural habitats for wildlife and would discourage new wildlife.

"We are losing too many green spaces in and around the village and the village is losing its charm."

Another said: "Stiffkey cannot accommodate new housing and inhabitants nor does it need additional holiday homes."

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North Norfolk District Council sided with the concerns and refused the plans on the basis the application has not demonstrated it would not have adverse affects on the environment. 

The council said: "This open piece of grassland makes a positive contribution within the conservation area, which helps to define and place the existing buildings within their landscape setting.

"This would be completely lost through the proposed development, and result in the loss of the historic enclosure across the site frontage.

"The proposals would result in harm to the conservation area, and national landscape designations for which local policies and provisions within the NPPF seek to protect from inappropriate developments."