Edge-of-Norwich Trowse home plans met with mixed views

Kate Scotter Friday, October 12, 2012
6:30 AM

Plans to double the size of an edge-of-Norwich village have been met with mixed views.

South Norfolk Council is holding a consultation with people living in Trowse.

The plans would see 250 homes built on land off White Horse Lane and at the back of Charolais Close and Devon Way.

It is also proposed to have park and ride site built on the other side of the A47, near Bixley.

The two areas of land have been earmarked for housing for some time.

According to the proposals, the 130-home development in White Horse Lane will reflect the character of the area and it will be designed with “appropriate landscaping”. The 4.76-hectare site will be accessed from White Horse Lane. Meanwhile, the 120 homes planned for the 4.5ha of land to the rear of Charolais Close and Devon Way will be accessed through the White Horse Lane development. The park and ride site is planned to be accessed via Kirby Road.

Philippa Rudd, who lives in Blacks Avenue, said: “I think 250 homes is far too many for the village and will have an adverse impact on village life.

“White Horse Lane will become congested and hazardous for children walking to school and crossing the road to the village green. The field is popular with dog walkers, joggers, families flying kites, and it will be a shame for it to be lost to development.”

Becky Schofield, who lives in Highland Crescent with her husband Chris and their two children, said: “We aren’t keen - it will turn a pretty charismatic village into a busy sprawling suburb. It would also negatively affect the value of our house.”

According to the 2001 census, the village has a population of 479 in 233 homes. Villagers have until October 26 to respond to the consultation.

Rob Lines, 44, of Barn Meadow, said: “There is great demand for housing, particularly in Trowse, and this build represents an opportunity to add to and enhance the village. Of course it will add traffic but it won’t add anything to the traffic from Stoke, Arminghall that already cuts through the village.”

Dyson Pendle, who has lived off Whitlingham Lane for six years, said: “That land has been allocated for housing for a long time, I have no issue with that, and hopefully the park and ride site will stop people from parking along Whitlingham Lane.

“I’m not disillusioned; I know there needs to be development. My only concern is that there seems to be some planned changes to the village boundary.”

Elsewhere, there are £100m plans for 670 new homes a the Deal Ground site, near the river.