Over a hundred concerned homeowners took part in a protest march against revised plans for a major housing development on a derelict site which has been empty for years.

The action on January 29, led by the Friends of Thorpe St Andrew, surrounded the new plans by development firm Ocubis to build 555 homes on four sites in the town - at Pinebanks, Langley North, Langely South and Griffin Lane.

Broadland District Council approved plans for 302 homes to be on the Pinebanks and Griffin Lane plot in 2013 but no houses have been built.

Following public opposition, the plans have been revised several times, with a previous scheme including 725 houses.

Norwich Evening News: People in Thorpe St Andrew listening to members of Friends of Thorpe St Andrew before a protest march on January 29, 2023, against hundreds of homes being proposed in the Pinebanks areaPeople in Thorpe St Andrew listening to members of Friends of Thorpe St Andrew before a protest march on January 29, 2023, against hundreds of homes being proposed in the Pinebanks area (Image: Sophie Wyllie)

Friends of Thorpe St Andrew appealed for people to lodge their concerns before the consultation ends on February 12.

Norwich Evening News: Mike Riches, a member of Friends of Thorpe St Andrew, who was part of the protest march about hundreds of homes proposed for land in the Pinebanks area (pictured)Mike Riches, a member of Friends of Thorpe St Andrew, who was part of the protest march about hundreds of homes proposed for land in the Pinebanks area (pictured) (Image: Sophie Wyllie)

Before the march from Gordon Avenue, to the Pinebanks site off Henby Way, Mike Riches, 55, said: "We need to ensure our voices are heard. 

"The proposed numbers should be reduced to the original number granted in 2013. Together we can make a difference and persuade the planning committee to reject these latest proposals and send the developer back to the drawing board." 

Norwich Evening News: John Ward, Conservative county and district councillor (left), Peter Berry, Thorpe St Andrew town councillor and member of the Friends of Thorpe St Andrew, and Ian Mackie, county and district councillor for Thorpe (right)John Ward, Conservative county and district councillor (left), Peter Berry, Thorpe St Andrew town councillor and member of the Friends of Thorpe St Andrew, and Ian Mackie, county and district councillor for Thorpe (right) (Image: Sophie Wyllie)

Ian Mackie, Conservative county councillor for Thorpe St Andrew, said: "The safety concerns from traffic, the evironmental impact and lack of investment in services makes these the worst set of proposals I’ve ever seen in nearly twenty years of being a councillor. We need to get what is best for Thorpe."

Among the highway concerns are the impact of extra traffic from the Heartsease Roundabout which could be redesigned.

There are also fears almost £1m will not be put into a sports hall through a Section 106 agreement, which was previously promised. 

A Pinebanks spokesman said: "We understand the siginificance of our proposals and appreciate local people's engagement.

"These amendments consitute a significant reduction in the overall density and scale of the proposals with a 24pc reduction in the number of homes being proposed with an extra emphasis on ensuring the management of ancient woodland."

He added the town council would get 15pc of the funds for infrastructure through the Community Infrastructure Levy and an extra 10pc if it adopted a neighbourhood plan.