Campaigning Costessey residents are delighted after a highly-contentious plan for 83 homes in the River Tud Valley was unanimously rejected by councillors.
The outline application from Katrina Kozersky to build on land off Farmland Road was debated by the South Norfolk District Council development manager committee on December 6.
It was recommended for approval but attracted 339 letters of objection from residents, the Farmland Road Action Group (FRAG), MPs, Costessey Town Council and district and county councillors.
There were only three letters of support.
A similar scheme by Mrs Kozersky for 83 homes in the valley was rejected by the same committee in 2016 because of 'unacceptable visual impact on the landscape'.
After the debate opponents cheered the committee which said the new plan did not address its original concerns.
They also had worries over accessibility through the 'very steep' Farmland Road.
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Kate Kerrison, principal planner for Boyer, said the new application tackled visual impact, drainage and flood concerns by reducing the height of some homes, landscaping, permeable paving and lagoons.
She added the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority and highways experts did not raise objections.
Miss Kerrison said the applicant would provide 'much-needed housing'.
During the debate Tim East, Norfolk County Council member for Costessey, said: 'This is a speculative and opportunistic application. It is outside the development boundary and unsuitable. Once built on, this sensitive river valley of the Tud will disappear forever. The resubmission of this application is tinkering.'
Steve Codman from FRAG, which published its own report based on independent experts' views, said: 'We are not against the right homes in the right place.'
He added the proposal 'would destroy the very fabric of Costessey'.
Miss Kerrison did not say if the applicant would appeal or not but Mr East, who was 'delighted' by the outcome, said the Costessey community would put up a fight if that happened.
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