Fears housing plans on edge of Norwich will cause traffic congestion

Villagers expressed their opposition for two schemes in the village during a Broadland District Council exhibition at the Bob Carter Centre yesterday.

The first scheme would see 150 homes built off School Road, near the junction with Cator Road, on land owned by Carter Farms.

A further 35 homes would be built in Hall Lane.

People living in the village have objected to the plans on the grounds they would cause more traffic problems in the already heavily-congested community.

Hilary Kisby, chairman of the parish council, said: 'People are very much against the plans, mostly because of the traffic problems and also because of infrastructure problems – the schools are full, the doctors' surgery is full, there are surface water problems and there is nowhere to park in the village. They are also against using agricultural land.

'One hundred and fifty homes at the top of School Road would be a big development and wouldn't sit well in the landscape.

'The other one in the centre of the village would cause traffic problems.'

Plans have previously been proposed to use the land in Hall Lane for allotments and a burial ground.

Both schemes were turned down on the grounds that the land was 'too good'.

Meanwhile, traffic problems in the village, which has a population of about 5,000 people, were highlighted in the recently-launched parish plan.

The public has until December 19 to respond to the proposals, which could be incorporated in Broadland's local development framework.

Roger Foulger, Broadland District Council councillor for Drayton south, said: 'The 150 properties proposed in the Drayton north ward is a comparatively modest development compared with elsewhere in the Broadland district.

'We are a growth area and clearly development has to take place.'

People who want to respond to Broadland council's exhibition, should email policy@broadland.gov.uk or go to www.broadland.gov.uk.